Blog Action Day '09: Climate Change

Today is Blog Action Day, where thousands of bloggers around the world are coming together to promote one cause: climate change. It's time to face the imminent and devastating facts on which scientists unequivocally agree. While I am not the most informed source on climate change, I have done my research. This post will cover some basic points from how climate change impacts our daily life to how we can reduce our carbon footprint.

Global warming is literally hanging over the world like the proverbial dark cloud. In one sentence, global warming is "an increase in the earth's atmospheric and oceanic temperatures widely predicted to occur due to an increase in the greenhouse effect resulting especially from pollution" (merriamwebster.com.) Polluting emissions come from human activities such as cars and power plants. The combustion of fossil fuels causes atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) that are at a level unequaled for at least 800,000 years.

"A global climate change agreement is necessary so that we can limit the negative man-made effects on the climate system for future generations" (en.cop15.dk.) This agreement is the aim of the United Nations Climate Change Conference ("COP15") scheduled for December 2009. All eyes will be these world leaders as they attempt to reduce emissions in a seriously political way. You can access COP15 updates on facebook, twitter and youtube.

Climate Change in Our Daily Lives

While reading the Center for American Progress's Top 100 Effects of Global Warming, I was shocked by the mass amount of cultural landmarks, foods and animals we take for granted that will be eliminated by global warming. This list is definitely worth reading!

What Can YOU Do?

It's easy to calculate your carbon footprint and find ways to balance your impact. Conservation International's carbon calculator evaluates your lifestyle and natural product consumption in a quick and comprehensive way.

Thanks to Kids vs. Global Warming, here's a list of simple daily actions you can individually take to combat global warming:

:: Invest in alternative energy (instead of supporting power companies that fuel global warming.)

:: Hang-dry your clothes. (Household appliances like dryers hog energy.)

:: Recycle.

:: Eat locally-grown foods.

:: Refuse plastic bottles. (Last year it took 1.5 million barrels of oil to make them.)

:: Plant trees. (Trees actually decrease CO2 levels.)

:: Use LEDS or compact florescent light bulbs (instead of regular light bulbs that waste tons of energy.)


That's the end of my Climate Change 101. Thanks to all who made Blog Action Day possible.

Networking -- UD Style

"It's all about who you know." Last night I attended the University of Dayton Business Connect (Columbus) networking event with my friend Liz. As we walked into the Capital University Law School classroom, I instantly felt that familiar, community-like vibe that only UD students experience. Hors d'œuvre, beverages and easy conversation made for a wonderful evening with fellow Flyer alumni - young and old.

Shawn Beem '97, the associate director of professional development at Capital University Law School, made a presentation called "Back To Basics" regarding bare-boned issues relevant to the job market. He mainly spoke about LinkedIn. In case you've not heard of LinkedIn yet:

"LinkedIn is an interconnected network of experienced professionals from around the world, representing 170 industries and 200 countries. You can find, be introduced to, and collaborate with qualified professionals that you need to work with to accomplish your goals" (linkedin.com.)

I am already aggressively using LinkedIn for employment seeking efforts, but learned a few tips I will share:

:: When inviting someone to connect with you, do not use the generic "I'd like to add you to my network." Instead, write a nice note indicating who you are and why you would like to connect. Personalization will distinguish you and ensure your trustworthiness.

:: Use a professional photo, "not one with an arm slung around your shoulder."

:: Use your existing connections to connect with others. In other words, say, "I see you're connected with ____ at company X. Can I use you as a reference or ask you to kindly introduce me to him?"


[Not pertaining to LinkedIn, but still noteworthy]

::After you've applied for a position, DO follow up with the hiring manager (duh.) Beem gave an example of a person who applied for a finance position and finally thought to call the company to see where they were in the hiring process. The HR rep. said, "Good thing you called, we're starting to interview but received 1400 applications! Why don't you come down for an interview?"

:: A unique cover letter, resume and follow-up will be your advantage. Exude creativity in your cover letter and do NOT address it with, "To Whom it May Concern." Find a real person within the company!


Overall, I was glad I attended the event and am excited for the next one! Darren Nealy, the Columbus UD Chapter president, mentioned he always looks for an alumni group when traveling across the country. He has watched Flyer basketball with alumni in Seattle and networked in Virginia.

Employment status: I currently have some things brewing, we shall see what happens!

Cheers.

Easy Pumpkin-Walnut Muffins

I tend to blog about pressing matters, and this recipe just couldn't wait (enter sarcasm!) In the spirit of Fall, I decided to bake some pumpkin treats. This recipe is cheap, quick and condusive to those lacking even intermediate cooking skills.

:Ingredients
1 package pumpkin bread mix (I used Giant Eagle brand.)
2 eggs
1 tablespoon oil
1 cup water
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon

:Directions
Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine ingredients (except walnuts) in mixing bowl and stir until smooth. Fold in walnuts. Pour batter into greased 15 x 11, 12-cup muffin tin. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown edges appear.
Outcome = success! The walnuts added texture and a savory surprise to the sweet & spicy muffins. I brought them to the office today and they received raving reviews from people ranging in ages 1 to 50! ;)

These muffins can be enjoyed as an afternoon snack or post-meal dessert, and will fill your house with a festive Fall aroma! (Wow, can I be any more "Miss Good Housekeeping?!")


Side note: I prefer the term "creative" over "domestic."

Enjoy!

If You Build It...

After a much needed family vacation in Holden Beach, North Carolina, I am back to the grind and tackling the job search in a necessarily agressive manner. My goal is to transition into that independent/"city chic"/adult lifestyle by this fall. Needless to say, I need to get a move-on!

Over the course of my employment seeking efforts, I have learned a few guidelines to follow. Some are no-brainers advised in all employment resources, others are of personal opinion/gathered insight from others.

:: First and foremost, keep a positive attitude. I need to remember that I graduated in a plummeting economy and thousands of people are in my boat. My industry of interest is also not working to my advantage, as creative service departments are usually (and foolishly) minmized first. Things will eventually fall into place. Patience is a virture!

:: Be picky, but not too picky. A fellow UD Flyer told me she began her post-college employment in an underfunded PR department. She desperately switched to a communications company that created in-store displays for retailers. She ended up unhappy in a job irrelevant to her career interests and a company that only cared about the bottom line. She told me, "don't get into a job you know you won’t like, it will save you pain and trouble down the road." I have heeded this advice and hope to God I end up with a job I enjoy! **However, I do realize that in these times I cannot afford to be too picky. I will not start off in my "dream job," but hopefully one that will build my resume and open connections to other avenues!

:: It really is "all about who you know." Seek out relatives, professors, friends, friends-of-friends, mentors, old managers, organization members/leaders, etc. etc. etc. Anyone who could possibly be directly or indirectly tied to your field is an a position to help you. Now how you go about networking is a different story. **THANK EVERYONE and be overly-appreciative. Maybe, just maybe that person will remember you down the road when an opportunity comes along.

:: Find the HR department contact, and send your resume directly to that person. Don't waste your time with a generic info@___.com. I have heard this advice from multiple people.

:: Apply multiple times, chances are you will stand out. If the firm isn't hiring, still submit your resume. It's always good for a company to have your resume on file. For example, I submitted my resume to a hospital network that wasn't hiring at the time. I was also rejected from a job with an insurance company, but was told to keep applying and my resume would remain on file. My mother works as a receptionist for a chiropractor and told me their therapist was hired after the office manager remembered her resume from a previous submission.

:: Tailor wording in your resume and cover letter (sell yourself and your qualifications!) to the job for which you're applying. It's OK to embellish, just a tad. Constantly tweak your resume to see what works and what doesn't. If you are rejected, kindly ask the hiring manager why you weren't chosen for the job. If anything they will respect you for your self-improvement efforts!

This list is for mutual reader-author benefit. I hope it helps!

Marketing: Sustainable Conversations

Oh the exciting world of marketing! I recently came across an interesting article in the blog, "Take Me To Your Leader." In his article entitled, Creating Sustainable Conversations Will Define Success in Future, Freddie Laker writes:

"The key to creating long term sustainable conversations is picking a campaign position or theme that encourages multiple points of view that are equally viable. Just think about it. If no one can ever be "right," the conversation cannot end and in turn will evolve into an endless debate with the brand positioned directly in the middle. Great campaigns that embody this ongoing discussion include Dove's "Campaign for Real Beauty." This campaign is centered on widening the definition and discussion of beauty. It's a topic that literally has no definitive answer as it represents many things to many people. Subsequently the conversations around this topic are endless, as is its connection to the brand. "

A connection to the conversation/idea/theme of a campaign will bind consumers to a brand. I think about this tendency in my own life, with my attraction to certain products. This idea also occurs in music. We can often relate to song lyrics, identifying with the situations and experiences sung by the artist. If the song really resonates, it becomes a "favorite" and is played repeatedly for times to come. The song will also represent many things to many people. One might also share the song with others, discussing the lyrics and quality of the music.

One day I hope to lend my creativity in creating endless, sustainable conversations for a brand, product or service.

The Little Things

The "little things" in our lives are often unnoticed and unappreciated. While watching the 2006 film Stranger Than Fiction, I couldn't help but be moved by the closing quote. The film is about Harold Crick (Will Ferrell), an IRS auditor who finds himself the subject of author Kay Eiffel's (Emma Thomas) novel by hearing her impeccably accurate narration inside his head.

"Sometimes, when we lose ourselves in fear and despair, in routine and constancy, in hopelessness and tragedy, we can thank God for Bavarian sugar cookies. And, fortunately, when there aren't any cookies, we can still find reassurance in a familiar hand on our skin, or a kind and loving gesture, or subtle encouragement, or a loving embrace, or an offer of comfort, not to mention hospital gurneys and nose plugs, an uneaten Danish, soft-spoken secrets, and Fender Stratocasters, and maybe the occasional piece of fiction. And we must remember that all these things, the nuances, the anomalies, the subtleties, which we assume only accessorize our days, are effective for a much larger and nobler cause. They are here to save our lives."

While I cannot relate to hospital gurneys, nose plugs, or Fender Stratocasters, I have come to be conscious of and relish these small yet significant events. Especially at such an uncertain and humble point in my life!

Healthcare Reform

This post is quite a leap from my usual, personal topics, but I had an interesting discussion with my father at lunch today and thought I would attempt at public feedback...

First, let's look at the facts:

-Nearly 50 million Americans do not have health insurance, while another 25 million are underinsured.

-The amount people pay for health insurance increased 30 percent from 2001 to 2005, while income for the same period of time only increased 3 percent, as reported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

-Healthcare expenditures in the United States exceed $2 trillion a year. In comparison, the federal budget is $3 trillion a year.

Due to this inadequate system, President Obama is proposing a public/universal system where the government will subsidize healthcare. While many people argue that since the US is the only industrialized nation without some sort of universal healthcare system, creating one will give more people access to affordable healthcare.

"Duh. Tell me something I didn't already know," you may say.

Well, here's how my father looks at that proposal. A general agent for big-name insurance carriers, my father's worst enemy is public healthcare. He uses the analogy of the hardware store "wipe-out." A decade ago you had many mom-and-pop hardware businesses all over the nation. Then, a few huge corporations came into town and monopolized the market. How? They were able to access hardware products at a cheaper price and thus sell them cheaper to consumers, gaining optimal profit. According to my father, a similar situation would occur if the U.S. resorted to having both private and public healthcare. Insurance carriers would never survive in competition with the government, thus inhibiting them and many physicians from staying in business. (There are over 50,000 people employed in the healthcare industry in Ohio alone!) My father proposes giving everyone a "ticket" to purchases minimal health insurance. This would require the insurance companies to accept high-risk applicants (ie., cancer patients) at a much lower rate.

There are many, many other factors involved and issues to be considered, but the question remains: can we have both private and public healthcare?

...And We're Back!

After five months, I have returned to my neglected blog! A lot has happened in my life since my last post! First off, I enjoyed an amazing last semester at the University of Dayton. I can proudly say I made the most out of my college experience. I graduated in May, and joined the rest of my classmates in Daytona, FL for "Dayton to Daytona."

Now I consider myself in the awkward post-graduation-pre-career phase. I'm living with my parents and it actually hasn't been too bad! I'm working as a Communications Assistant for my father's insurance brokerage and aggressively searching for jobs in the Cincinnati area. Although the outlook is bleak, my goal is to have a somewhat rewarding job lined up by September. This year is the absolute WORST time to graduate from college and find an entry-level job. A friend of mine told me it usually takes graduates 3-4 months to find a job and it will most likely take SIX in this economy! That news is highly discouraging but I'm going to try and be the exception. Can't live with John and Deb forever!... :/

Back to Reality

After a seemingly long Christmas break, it's time to head back to UD for my last undergraduate semester (scary)! I am a bit disappointed in myself, I did not make much progress in the job search as I intended. However, I did some research and found a promising PR market in Cincinnati, which is where I prefer to re-locate.

Cincinnati is home to quite a few PR agencies, some strictly PR - others a mix of PR, marketing, and advertising. I also researched significant area employers in the fields of healthcare, government and education.

Now it's just a matter of sending my resume and cover letter to countless recipients, hoping to secure an interview. I also need to gather some recommendation letters to have on hand.

Where are YOU on your job search? Any advice?