Archive for the ‘podcast’ Category

Surviving Change

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

 
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M.J. Ryan, author of adaptabilityAdaptAbility: How to Survive Change You Didn’t Ask For, is full of advice for new grads. Life after graduation, as she says, is one of the most challenging times a human being goes through. In this podcast interview, she has shared her thoughts on a few important points.

What if I’ve lost interest in my major, but it’s too late to change?
Many young people agonize over what major to choose. Take comfort in the fact that this is a decision you’re making for now, and the future will unfold in ways that you absolutely cannot predict or know now. We must become life-long learners and recognize that our lives will be continual process of education and growth.

What are my thinking talents?
These are your persistent ways of thinking that you’ve been doing your whole life—although you haven’t necessarily been trained in them. To find out more, visit the ptp-partners.com and take an assessment to discover what yours are. A study of two million people shows that when we understand what these talents are, we create greater productivity and profitability.

What if I’m having a hard time adjusting to life after college?
This is a difficult stage in life. It won’t always be like this, even though it feels like it now. Because it can be a challenging time in terms of your feelings, it’s no time to go it alone. The question is not, “Do I need support?” but “What kind of support do I need?” Talk to people who have been through it and can offer perspective, or join a group to meet others in the same position as you.

Should I create a 5 year plan?
Harvard Business School did a study to find out if people who could answer this question did better than people who didn’t have a plan in terms of money, success and happiness. Looking back at those who had a five year plan and those who didn’t, there was no difference.

“There is no such thing as a five year plan. There is no such thing, really, as a year plan. You can set intention, you can set goals—but you then have to keep noticing what’s actually happening and revising as you go…

What we all need to do, rather than have a plan, is to keep enriching our environment with connections to other people and information.”

—M.J. Ryan, inspired by Meg Wheatley

Grads Take Charge: Author Interview and Book Giveaway

Monday, May 11th, 2009

 
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gtc1Kathryn Marion has just published a new book filled with advice to help new grads venture into the next chapter of their lives. The book, Grads Take Charge, features advice from recent grads (including yours truly and other bloggers with great advice) on everything from finding the right job to handling money and life at home.

The book is available at QwikSmarts.com, and The Creative Career readers can use the coupon code CC25 for 25% off.

The Giveaway

I have an extra copy of Grads Take Charge to give away to one lucky reader. To win, leave a comment with the phrase Take Charge, and if you want, tell me what you look forward to or fear about life beyond college (you don’t have to be a senior to win—this giveaway is available to anyone who can benefit from the advice in this book). I’ll randomly select a winner next Monday, May 18.

Sherry Petersik: From NYC Copywriter to DIY Blogger

Monday, April 27th, 2009

 
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thisyounghouse1
When I discovered This Young House, a DIY home improvement and decorating blog by Sherry and John Petersik, I was immediately hooked. Within a few weeks, I was finding new inspiration for my own little apartment here in Chicago—and I wasn’t alone. Sherry and John have gained a huge following, and the blog has become Sherry’s full time job.

I called Sherry to talk about her unique career path from working as a copywriter in New York City to working for herself as a blogger in Richmond, Virginia.

Enjoy the interview, and be sure to check out the blog for yourself. You can also read about Sherry’s “day in the life” as a professional blogger at High-Heeled Foot in the Door.

Marcia Wallis, Author of Girl Talk

Sunday, February 8th, 2009

 
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Marcia Wallis, a 2003 Stanford graduate and 2008 graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law, has an unique mix of experiences. She has playd on several U.S. gold medal teams, including the 1999 Pan-American Woman’s Soccer Team and the 2001 and 2002 Nordic Cup teams. Before law school, she played professional soccer in the WUSA and golf on the Futures Tour. Oh yeah, and she helped her cousin, gold medal winning beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh, launch an active-wear clothing line called K-Active.

If that’s not enough, Marcia recently co-authored a book called Girl Talk with law school buddy Jennifer Azadnia to help guide young girls.

Recommended Reading

  • Marcia recommends reading the newspaper to stay in touch with current events.
  • Spend some time relaxing with a work of fiction (Marcia recommends the Twilight series, which I have yet to read, but I’m starting to feel that I should…)

What’s the Difference Between Advertising and PR?

Thursday, January 29th, 2009

 
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Roger Weller got into advertising by building his copywriting portfolio through freelance writing at small design shops. He moved to Chicago from the west coast and got a job at an agency called Bozell. From there, he moved to Cramer Krasselt, where he became a creative director.

Listen to Roger Weller’s beliefs on branding, core marketing skills and the difference between advertising and public relations. The interview runs just under a half an hour, but I think it’s one of the most insightful interviews on the marketing and branding world that I’ve heard.

Recommended Book
The Deviant’s Advantage: How to Use Fringe Ideas to Create Mass Markets

Photo Source: Pink Ponk under Creative Commons

An Accessory Company with a Cause

Sunday, January 11th, 2009

 
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handbag When Christine Hutchison was traveling in Bali on her honeymoon, she fell in love with the local individuals and their crafts. She was so inspired by the stories and products that she went on to start an accessory company that would give back to those communities. The company, Five Accessories, now gives five dollars of each handbag sale and 15 percent of all other sales to support causes within the communities where the accessories were created.

Read more about the company at fiveaccessories.com.

Recommended Book
Launch It!: How to Turn Good Ideas Into Great Products That Sell

Create a Professional Web Presence on a Budget

Sunday, January 4th, 2009

 
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Jeff Siarto, the new co-author of Head First Web Design (and my boyfriend), shares the best resources for creating or improving your blog, online portfolio or personal website. Listen to the podcast and check out the links below.

Start a Basic Blog
Wordpress
Although there are many blogging options, we recommend Wordpress.com. It’s free to start a blog using yourblogname.wordpress.com.

Create a Custom URL
Namecheap
To create a custom URL, such as yourblogname.com, you must buy a domain name. These typically run from $10 to $40 per year, although you should generally pay no more than $15 per year for a .com, .net or .org domain. Check out Namecheap or GoDaddy to get started, or look at ICANN’s complete list of accredited registrars.

You can map the domain name to your Wordpress blog for $10 per year. For more on this, read Domain Registration and Mapping on Wordpress.com

We also recommend using a WHOIS Guard-type service to protect your privacy. Namecheap offers a free year with new domain name registrations.

Host Your Own Site
Dreamhost
Although free hosting may be a good place to start for those on a budget, there are some limitations. For more control and features, higher bandwidth, no ads and more storage space, you might opt to host your own site for. Expect to pay around $100-$200 per year for good hosting (we recommend Dreamhost).

Create an Online Portfolio
Squarespace
If you’re looking to go into a creative field, an online portfolio is a must. If you don’t have any experience with web design and don’t have the budget to hire someone to do it for you, check out Squarespace. This service lets users create custom websites without any programming knowledge.

Consider your blog or online portfolio an investment in yourself. Ultimately, the more professional your web presence, the more impressed your potential employer will be. This could make all the difference when it comes time to look for a job.

The Art of Happiness

Monday, December 15th, 2008

 
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Monkey Art

After Rebecca Stees’ job as a social recreation manager at an art center for teens and young adults with disabilities was eliminated due to funding issues, she went on to found ART YOWZA, where she runs art camps and classes for kids and adults. Hear about her journey to entrepreneurship and her advice for students and young professionals today.

Recommended Book

Get Clients Now!: A 28-Day Marketing Program for Professionals, Consultants, and Coaches
by C.J. Hayden

See more from Rebecca Stees and ART YOWZA

18-Year-Old Entrepreneur Jessica Mah

Monday, December 8th, 2008

 
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internshipIN
Jessica Mah started her first business in eighth grade. Now 18, she’s a junior at UC Berkeley, and when she’s not studying for class, you might find her working on internshipIN, which is connecting students to internships.

If you want help or advice from Jessica, check out her blog or send her a line at jessicamah(at)jessicamah(dot)com.

Recommended Books

Stress-Less Life Coach Maria Pascucci

Monday, December 1st, 2008

 
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Maria Pascucci, Campus Calm After graduating from college summa cum laude, self-proclaimed perfectionist Maria Pascucci founded Campus Calm to help stressed out college students and young people around the world.

Maria’s new book, Campus Calm, offers a ten-step blueprint to stop stressing and create a happy, purposeful life. As a special offer to readers and listeners of The Creative Career, she’s offering a free audio CD, Life 101 with the purchase of her book—and just for you, she’ll autograph the book as well.