First Day

Yesterday was my first official day at Jungle Red Salon and Spa. The people are work with are phenomenal, and the atmosphere is so upbeat and retro. I love it!

I spent most of my first day planning and working on a new "back to school" promotion the salon will be launching in the next few days as well as worked on social media development. A majority of my job will be online marketing which is an area I am very familiar in and enjoy. I am also responsible for blogging about the salon's products and services, which has been a lot of fun to learn about. Speaking of salon services, I am bleaching my hair tonight so you will have to let me know what you think!

I worked on three more applications today and am really crossing my fingers on one of them.

Well I am off to work so I have to cut this one short. I will post pictures of my new 'do later! :)

Ciao

Nashville Visit

I’m visiting Nashville, and I couldn’t be more excited!

There is just something about the small town in a big city feeling that gets me. It was hard to leave the city I have grown to call home and the people who have grown to be my dearest friends – not to mention Bongo Java vanilla lattes…yummm.

I will be in town August 23^rd through August 30^th. I’m attending a Nashville PRSA Mixer the night of August 24^th where I am looking forward to networking with some amazing professionals in the area. My good friend Sarah Norton and worked at the mixer last year which was a blast, so I am excited to be able to network this year.

I am also looking forward to the annual Mid South Rugby Union meeting on August 29^th where I will be representing Belmont rugby.

The week is looking to be a great one and I am already dreading leaving and I haven’t even gotten there yet.

Into the Jungle

There is something about a frosty iced coffee that just puts me in the right mood. I am currently taking a break from editing my cover letter…again… to write and tell you about some exciting news I received today.

A few weeks ago I interviewed for a pr and marketing internship at a salon and spa in downtown Minneapolis. The position is only ten hours a week (nonpaid) but I get salon benefits – who can’t use a free cut and color?

A few days ago I called the salon and left a message to let them know I was still very interested and was curious if they had made a decision. I received a call back this morning that they had reached a decision and they wanted ME. I excited to be apart of the team at Jungle Red Salon and Spa!

Lesson Learned: ALWAYS call back! Let them know you are interested. Calling back proves to them you are serious about your career and the position they are offering. You also make great connections with people even if you don't get the position.

This internship is a relief. I needed a position to keep me fresh in the industry and keep me moving until the right full-time job comes around. My hours are also set in a way that it looks like I will be able to continue with them even after I find a full-time position.

I have tried to stay faithful to filling out applications and networking and am hoping this blog will give me an additional sense of accountability.

For the time being I am challenging myself to apply for 1 job a day on workdays and 4 on non-workdays. I am also setting a goal of reconnecting with two old friends or professionals a day whether it be on Facebook, LinkedIn, a personal card or a phone call.

Well I should be getting back to my cover letters, I have to finish all four by the time this caffeine high is gone.

The Beginning

It has been 84 days since I received my Bachelors of Arts degree from Belmont University. I had been looking forward to the feeling of - I AM FINALLY DONE!

I distinctly remember feeling more than prepared for my graduation from Belmont. Internships, studying, tests, papers and the challenges of founding a rugby club all evidence I was prepared to enter the “real world”. I imagined I would move home for the summer and apply for jobs for a few weeks, attend a number of interviews and the right job would happen in no time.

My idea of post college life was ideal but hardly realistic. I have since spent hours upon hours editing my cover letter and filling out applications and still, no luck. Everyday I feel more and more like a failure. Everyday I am “dumped” by companies across the US, as I am “just not what they are currently looking for”.

I know I am not the only recent grad (or professional) feeling discouraged and challenged by the economy and current job market. I have decided to document this journey of mine. I must say, as frustrating and at times hilarious as it might be, I am humbled and thankful to be going through these experiences.

Let me know your thoughts. I would love your feedback!