A spring fling...scratch that, I mean a spring filing.

Study Tipping Tuesday

Getting your files organized 

So I have a confession to make. I love puns. 

And I love puns-for-titles even more. 

As cheesy as my title might be now, it took more effort than you can imagine to avoid using X-files in the name of this post. 

Today's study tip is really really simple: 

Organize your files to save yourself from the turmoil of not being able to find important information when you need it. 

You are swarmed with e-mails and documents every day - and trust me - when you get a job it only gets worse. These documents often seem incredibly unimportant - until the moment you need them and cannot remember where they are.

The key is developing a file system (I told you this was a sexy topic). 

Seriously though, it will save you more headaches than you can imagine. 

My favorite filing box.

Paper

Step 1: Buy a small, cheap, filing box. 

Step 2: Use it (e.g. create files for things such as: FAFSA info/PIN, tax info, transcripts, degree audits, standardized test scores, diplomas, awards, resumes, product manuals, college application mailings, etc.)

Word Docs

Step 1: Create a lot of clearly labeled folders and files on your computer.

Step 2: Use them (e.g. organize by semester, by classes, and then combine folders into archives when you're done). 

E-mail

Step 1: Create a lot of labels for your e-mail (I'm a huge fan of Gmail).

Step 2: Use them (e.g. clean out your e-mail at least once a day and label things away when you're done with them. What's also helped me tremendously is keeping an e-mail marked as unread until I've replied to it and am ready to file away). 

Happy Filing! ;)

To read more about Isa's personal story & how you can build relationships to: make positive friends, be more successful in academics and work, find the right people to connect with, and access the hidden job market, grab a FREE e-copy of the first chapter of Community College Success: How to Finish with Friends, Scholarships, Internships, and the Career of Your Dreams! Claim your free copy on the Facebook page!

From waitressing to writing for The New York Times

Can you imagine what it would be like to be a journalist for one of the most respected newspapers in the country? Jennifer Mascia is one such journalist for The New York Times, and recently she shared with me how her college journey led to the job she has today.

Like many post-graduates, Jennifer’s first job out of college was in the service industry – she was a waitress. Jennifer’s story is inspiring because she teaches us that no matter where you are or what you are doing, you can learn, develop, and enhance your passions by being in tune with the world around you.

Your journey is never over, and no matter where you start, your career dreams can continue to evolve, and continue to surprise you.

Jennifer came to New York when she was 17 years old and had to wait a year to apply to college so that she could get in-state tuition (out of state was just too expensive). She went to Hunter College at a time when SAT scores weren’t required to pursue her dream of being a theatre actress. 

In the process of studying theatre, Jennifer fell in love with the education she was being given by Hunter College, which was under the incredible CUNY umbrella (City University of New York). Jennifer eventually got into the Thomas Hunter Honors program and became the arts editor of the student paper.

Jennifer graduated college in 2001 with a theater major and an English minor, and began waiting tables. During that time, something unbelievable happened in her city.

9/11.

This intense experience stirred something in Jennifer. She became hyper-aware of the politics and the issues going on in her country, and found within herself a particular anger, passion, and fuel. She realized there were some things off track, and at the time, she felt powerless.

Unlike most who translate that powerlessness into extremes of unfocused anger or apathy, Jennifer decided to do something about it.

She started educating herself about the country, the world, and our role in it. She became a news junkie in the three years she spent waiting tables, and she fell in love with writing and communications.

Jennifer followed an interest that she learned as she grew, and even though she was still waiting tables, she never stopped learning and engaging with her passion. So when a friend encouraged her to apply to Columbia’s journalism school she didn’t hesitate – she applied within two weeks and got in.

But of course, Jennifer was also ready and willing to act.

Jennifer attributes that willingness to…can you guess…

People.

It started with the teachers in high school and her professors in college who noticed her writing ability and told her that she was good. Jennifer says she never would have thought about writing if those amazing women in her life didn’t take notice and told her she had a talent (e.g. the power of mentors).

Secondly, the friend who encouraged her to apply to graduate school was huge. The friends in our lives have a tremendous impact.

And finally, the people Jennifer met during her job as a waitress gave her incredible insight and helped her develop great questioning skills for her job as a journalist. Jennifer loves and understands people, which is what intrigued me most about her. Within the first two minutes on the phone with her, I knew I was talking to a compassionate and giving person.

Jennifer valued her time working as a waitress, and really shows that if you are passionate, have the right attitude, and are always willing to learn, your college experience is never really over; you can create an education no matter where you’re working or what your circumstances are.

Jennifer’s story proves that you can make the most of any job you’re in, and that it can lead to places you could never have dreamed – IF –and this is a big if – you are engaging 100%, giving your best to your work, and constantly learning.

After graduate school Jennifer began at the New York Times answering phones and running errands. What inspires me most about Jennifer is she never explains her menial jobs in a menial way – she describes them with passion and vigor, explaining what she learned from those incredible experiences.

This is what we can learn most from Jennifer. The power of that “always learning” attitude. The power of making the most of your situation and absorbing as much knowledge as you can.

Here is what Jennifer had to say in her own words:

What is one piece of advice you could share with my readers that you wished someone would have shared with you in college?

“You don’t have to have it figured out at 25. It’s okay to take your 20’s and figure it out. I kind of expected to be a fully-grown adult at the age of 22. There is a learning curve, and it is OKAY! You think everyone around you has it figured out – but they don’t! It’s important to understand that. I always thought I was on the bottom rung, but often you are only one question away from figuring it out, so never assume you’re at the bottom.“

What is one thing you think my college student readers should do as soon as they finish reading this article in order to be more successful? 

“Knowledge is power. Read as much as you can! Learn as much as you can. A lot of people operate the world with a half-tank full. Learning will ALWAYS put you ahead of the pack. Read a newspaper ;)”

I encourage you to start by reading some of Jennifer’s incredible articles.  

For two years Jennifer was a 24/7 reporter for an amazing series NY Times did called the Neediest Cases Series. During this time, Jennifer went into neighborhoods that were segregated due to socio-economic status; she went into people’s homes who had less than $100 in their pocket, and told their stories. Currently Jennifer works in the editorial section of the newspaper where she supports columnists through fact checking, web producing, researching, finding art for posts, and much more. You can also follow Jennifer on Twitter.

To read more about Isa's personal story & how you can build relationships to: make positive friends, be more successful in academics and work, find the right people to connect with, and access the hidden job market, grab a FREE e-copy of the first chapter of Community College Success: How to Finish with Friends, Scholarships, Internships, and the Career of Your Dreams! Claim your free copy on the Facebook page!

How to find your rockstar drive

I just went on my first media tour this week and it was the most incredibly and most insanely intense experience of my entire life. 

And even though – aside from a few karaoke appearances – I no real idea what it means to be a rockstar, my recent travel/hotel/publicity/speaking experience made me think about how rockstars do it - how they go on tour and put on shows night after night and keep promoting their music nonstop. 

That is what it takes. Constant promotion. Constant hustle. Constant belief in yourself even when it seems no one else believes in you. And it's about putting on a good show every time, no matter where you are. 

And believe it or not, your college and future success relies on a very similar system. 

Success in whatever it is you are pursuing in life will require you to push forward every day, build relationships (like rock stars do with their most dedicated fans), and give yourself to others in some capacity (e.g. giving people a great show).   

How do you have that drive to keep going and keep touring the avenues of your life with the force, excitement, and dedication of a rockstar?

You find what you love. You find your music. You find your voice. And you find a passion to share that voice with the world. You must find that thing that keeps you awake when you want to sleep, that keeps you giving to others when you wish someone would give to you, and reminds you that if you keep sincerely chasing your goals every day, you will reap the rewards. 

So keep going. Keep building positive relationships. Keep driving forward. And keep giving. Rockstars love their music, but they seem to love it most when they are able to share it with others. Find  your voice and what you really care about, and tour the world. 

Three cheers for audio books

It's Three for Thursday – and this week I am going to make a case for audio books and why you should incorporate them into your commute. 

I read in a book once (I honestly can’t remember the title) that if you listen to non-fiction audio books on a general subject area on your drive to and from work or school every day for a year, you would have accumulated the equivalent knowledge as that of a graduate degree.

I’m not suggesting that you call your registrar’s office and tell them that you got a new boom box, so they can go ahead and tear up your academic records and refund your tuition payments.

What I am suggesting is that your education shouldn't be confined to the classroom. 

#1: Education never stops – especially after college.

The truly successful people in this world are constantly learning - and developing the habit of a perpetual learner is a key to success. 

And when you're busy and may not always have time to sit down to read, turning your drive time into learning time will compound and help you improve immensely. 

#2: Fiction can be a great start for you when making the leap into the world of audio books – it expands your vocabulary, imagination, and creative process skills – those are all things that the 21^st century workplace and job market appreciate. 

But definitely find ways to integrate nonfiction that interests you.

Go for broad subjects, anything that piques your interest or anything you want to learn about. Really - anything!


I love learning about people - how they operate, what they feel, how they are affected, and how they become successful; so in addition to self-help and success books (e.g. The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy), I love books on the millennial generation, how people build relationships, how the brain works socially, how we are motivated, and one of my favorites in my CD player right now (that I got for free from the library) - The Social Animal by David Brooks.

#3: The knowledge you gain from books is invaluable – it adds to everything you do whether you realize it or not. For example, it will lead to better papers, more interesting conversational topics, expand your vocabulary, and help you better connect to and understand the world around you. And yet the reality is that as a college student with a lot of required reading, you won’t always have the time to fit in recreational reading.

So go audio. 

You’d be surprised how many audio books you can download to your iPod or Smart Phone from your college or personal library – they also offer cds if you know what those are ;)

I recommend audible.com and, of course, the audio books available on iTunes. 

Reading will always be important to success –  regardless of technological advancement. Whether you're reading on a Kindle or listening on an iPod... 

The information acquired is priceless.

So while I still rock out to a song or two before something exciting (and Pandora is on in my office for most of the day), I like to dedicate my drive time to learning. I hope you discover the kinds of audio books that bring you as much joy and engagement as mine have brought to me.

The magnetism of thank you

It doesn’t take much of an in-depth research session to assert that people complain. 

Go on any site that offers reviews of restaurants, hotels, rental car agencies, clothing stores, or even scan the comments section of a news article or editorial. 

Chalk it up to human nature; give credit to the anonymity of the Internet.

Ultimately, regardless of cause, in our society, the vitriolic nature of complaints tends to manifest itself physically. 

But, here is the catch, part of understanding success, part of what can allow students to move ahead, to break glass ceilings placed above them, is to understand that the cultivation of positive relationships paves the path to progress.

So here is the opportunity for you to distinguish yourself – to distinguish yourself in the realm of networking, relationship building, and honestly, determining how memorable you are in the eyes of those around you. 

Say thank you.

Always.

Say thank you to the people who do something for you, to those who inspire you, to those who offer the simplest or most complex favors.   

Because the reality is that even those who are fantastic, terrific, and dynamic in our lives don’t hear the words “thank you” nearly as much as you might imagine. 

I issued a challenge yesterday about waking up early in the morning to bring energy to your life. 

And today I am issuing a second challenge – the challenge to say thank you – vocally, digitally, or even through a hand-written note – to someone in your life. 

Say thank you to your friends. They need to hear it.

Say thank you to your professors – not mid-course, not even before the final exam, but after the final class, after the grade is posted. Let it come from a genuine place – send an email, let them know that you appreciated the knowledge they offered you.

And watch the effect this has when you are asking for a recommendation letter when you transfer or graduate.

Most importantly, more than anything, say thank you to your professional mentors – anytime you hear someone speak at a class, conference, or event, go up to them and say thank you – get their business card, email them detailing how you took the advice that he or she offered.

Because there is a reality – gratitude is powerful.

Your gratitude can make you magnetic to others.

Say thank you without expecting anything in return – it can be surprising how gratefulness and genuineness can change how you view certain situations around you. 

And you might be surprised how that little display of gratitude can change the way that others view you.