13 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Accepting a Job Offer
You deserve the job, but does the job deserve you?
Photo: Ekaterina Bolovtsova for Pexels
The New York Times published a piece titled "13 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting Married." And since a job is a marriage of sorts, we started thinking about 13 questions you should really ask yourself before accepting a job. We aren't talking first jobs, but career makers. The kind you stick with for the long-haul, through thick, through thin, through sickness and in health; marriage material kind of jobs. It's a mistake to accept a position with the intention of leaving.
In the same way that hiring mistakes can be very costly, the same can be said for accepting the wrong offer. If the position is not the right fit, you are going to end up on job boards and sending out résumés all over again. While landing a job is tough, accepting the wrong position can be detrimental to your career. We're thinking long distance, not sprints.
1. Started from the bottom, now you’re where?
Is there room for growth? If for instance, you're starting as an assistant, is the company prone to promote from within? Before accepting, make sure there is a "here" to get to.
A good way to figure this out is to check out the following:
2. What’s the turnover rate for employees?
With a little research, it's easy to find how long the oldest employee has been at the company. If the turnover rate is incredibly high, or the oldest employee has only been working there a year, consider why this might be the case.
Are there employees who started in your current offered position? Where are they now?
3. Do you want your boss’s job?
This is a tricky question to answer.
Because sure, the idea of being the boss might seem illustriously tempting to you, but taking your boss’s job should not be the end goal. Excel at your position and work to be promoted, sure, but your takeover strategy shouldn't revolve around taking over someone else’s position.
4. Are you willing to work weekends? Nights? Early AMs?
What kind of hours are you willing to clock? For most of us, the 40-hour workweek myth is just that. So think about how you're going to feel when you get an email from your boss on a Sunday.
Do you need a position that has a clear clock-in and clock-out, or are you comfortable with stress-related rapid-fire texts from your boss on the weekend? (They happen. They're real.) Your heart needs to be in it, in order to win it.
5. Could your boss double as a mentor?
Is your potential boss someone you admire and respect? At least from the outside. Unlike a relationship or marriage, it's impossible to predict how well you will work with someone—especially during crunch time or in high-stress, high-pressure situations, before you work with them.
So do the research. What kind of reputation does your boss have? How do the current employees seem to feel about their jobs? When you went in for your interview, what did the office environment feel like? Was it sunshine and butterflies and rainbows or were there grumpy cat rainclouds above everyone’s desk?
Working well with someone who is "bossing" you is a major factor to consider.
6. Will you be challenged?
Forget a cushy job. At this point in your career, you should desire a position that grows your skills and expands your offerings as an employee—just in case you wind up having to divorce this position.
If you know you'll be able to set goals to outperform yourself, you will not only make yourself invaluable to the company, but you'll also be making an investment in your future that will pay in dividends.
7. Will you resent your salary in six months?
It's very rare to be head-over-heels in love with your salary from the start, but around 40% of women report being unsatisfied with their current pay. It's one thing to accept a salary or wage that is below asking, it's another to accept a wage that is well beneath you.
You'll end up angry, frustrated, and ultimately, less productive.
8. Are there benefits?
Health care costs add up, and they are something you should factor into your decision. Don't get blind-sighted by the salary without considering other costs you may incur on your own.
Most companies that offer benefits do so after 90 days. Be sure to ask what the company policy is, and if they don't have benefits, check out our post on how to negotiate benefits.
9. Is it corporate, startup, or freelance? And is the environment right for you?
You know you best. So when it comes to choosing the right office culture, think hard. The corporate job might pay more, but are you going to become frustrated and disillusioned when every idea you have has to be vetted by ten people up the ladder? Are you willing to commit to the kind of hours a startup requires?
If you're accepting a freelance job make sure to set parameters before committing. Don't accept a job where the expectations are so high, you're primed for failure.
10. What’s your commute?
The average U.S. worker commutes approximately 26 minutes to work each day. Could you imagine commuting more than that?
Here's the rub. Most employees are spending much more on commuting than they realize. From gas to maintenance, it's an important factor to consider in the long-run.
A nasty commute can contribute to a nasty attitude. If you're spending over an hour in the car in the AM, you're not going to arrive at the office bright, cheery, and ready to put in work.
11. What are the potential problems?
As with any relationship, there will be issues. Outline what you think they will be—from long hours to travel complications to communication issues, and be honest with yourself if they are problems you can accept.
Once you accept them, don't moan and groan when they crop up.
12. Have you checked out Glassdoor?
With a database of millions of company reviews, CEO-approval ratings, and salary reports, you can do a bit of online shopping before you buy into the company.
13. Is this your dream J-O-B?
By all means, what are you waiting for? Sign that offer letter and get ready for a lifetime of career happiness. (But also remember, that it's when the dream becomes a reality, the real work starts.)
Love this story? Pin the below graphic to your Pinterest board.
This story was originally published on April 4, 2016, and has since been updated.
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How to Build an Amazing Brand When You Have Zero Budget
Yes, it's possible.
Photo: Kaboompics.com for Pexels
When you're first launching a business, it can be difficult to know where to spend money, where you can save money, and how to get a little scrappy. Do you invest in that pricier domain name? Do you hire a designer to create your logo? Is it really necessary to consult an SEO pro to hone your content strategy?
Thankfully, the folks at GoDaddy know all about building a brand (and websites). So we picked their brain for insider tips and tricks that will pay off in the longterm, including some freebies you should 100% take advantage of. Keep scrolling for 10 zero-dollar ways to get your brand off the ground RN.
Treat your domain name like an investment.
The longer you have it, the more value it holds. Links pointing to your site are a major factor in ranking on search engines. As you accumulate more links over time, your credibility improves, and so does your search ranking. The age of your domain is also a ranking factor.
Changing your domain name has serious implications; it’s like changing your business name. If you change your domain, you’ll need to rebuild the credibility with search engines (which takes time), and reach out to all of the sites that linked to you to get the links updated (which they may not do).
Register a domain name early on in your business and stick to using the same domain name as your business evolves.
Use the same username/handle everywhere.
These days, your username is a core part of your online brand. Your business should be using the same username for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Pinterest, Etsy, and so on. This demonstrates a strong, professional brand that’s integrated across all channels. As with your domain name, choose your business username early on and treat it like an investment—you’ll earn links and mentions over time, all of which contribute to your business getting discovered.
Deciding on a name for a new business? Google it.
See what comes up. If there are existing businesses using the name you want, or even individuals who have a similar username for their social media accounts, try a different name. One of the perks of starting from scratch is that you can see what’s available and lock in your usernames across multiple platforms before your new business has even launched. Tip: Namechk lets you quickly figure out if a name is available across different domains and social media platforms.
Use consistent branding everywhere.
Aim for as much brand uniformity as possible everywhere that your business is present online. Use the same profile pictures, colors, fonts, image styles, etc. If you’re doing offline marketing, like flyers or business cards, your online branding should be consistent with that. An easy starting point is to lock in your brand color guide. Find a set of colors that reflect your business. Coolors is a free tool for generating color schemes.
Invest in design.
Visuals matter more than ever. If you’re not artistically inclined, hiring a designer can do wonders to give your online presence a professional boost.
If you’re just starting out and have minimal budget, sites like Fiverr or 99Designs can connect you with designers in your price range. If you can afford local market rates, look for designers in your area, especially if you have an arts or design school nearby!
Start off with something small, like images for your website or social media, to get a feel for the relationship. Once you’ve found a designer that you’re comfortable working with, start exploring bigger projects, like branding or site (re)design. (Have zero budget to work with? Canva is a great DIY tool for putting simple visuals together.)
Invest in photography.
The need for strong visuals carries over to photography. Poorly-lit, low-resolution snapshots are good for authenticity on social media, but you still need crisp, professional imagery for other purposes. If you’re putting photos of yourself, your team, your workplace, or your customers on the web, take photos specifically for that purpose. Smartphone cameras have come a long way, so if you prefer to go the DIY route, read some introductory tutorials so you understand the basics of lighting and composition.
Use simple, clean templates and layouts for your website.
Too much visual clutter distracts and overwhelms. A simple website layout, combined with strong design (fonts, colors, branding) and strong visuals (images, photographs) works wonders. Plenty of margin and whitespace between elements lets the page “breathe” and makes it easier for site visitors to skim over your content. Speaking of content…
Use your website to answer questions before they’re asked.
When someone hits a website for the first time, they start judging it very quickly, taking everything in at once, trying to determine if the site is relevant to them. When you review the content on your site, put yourself in the shoes of someone who doesn’t know a thing about your business, and think of the questions they might ask.
How do you introduce yourself? How do you prove that you know what you’re talking about? What are the benefits of the things you’re trying to sell – why should the visitor care? Why should they trust you? What are others saying about the products you sell, or the services you provide? What about other FAQs, like return policies, or customer support? Use those questions to guide your site’s content.
Collect email addresses.
An email mailing list is one of the greatest assets you can develop through your website. And you can segment the list based on your relationship with the person.
Are they someone who follows you on social but hasn’t bought yet? Are they a customer? Are they a loyal customer who’s repeatedly bought from you? Maybe they’re an influencer with an audience of their own?
You can send out highly relevant, targeted messaging that’s unique to each segment. And the more targeted and relevant your messaging is, the more effective it will be. We’ve got a bunch of tips on email marketing in the GoDaddy blog.
Measure everything.
Sign up for Google Analytics. Google Analytics will give you visibility into where visitors are coming from, and what visitors are doing once they’re on your site. This guide walks you through the process, including setting up goal funnels. Review your Analytics reports at least once a month, alongside your email mail list reports and other reports, to inform your planning.
We’ve incorporated all of these top tips into the new GoDaddy GoCentral website builder. It includes clean layouts you can customize for your business; a library of beautiful photographs to pull images from; support for a wide range of content types; integration with GoDaddy Email Marketing to build your email list; and support for Google Analytics to monitor website usage.
About the Author: Andy McIlwain is a member of the GoDaddy blog team looking after content & resources for web designers and developers. You can connect with Andy on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and his personal blog.
This story was originally published on April 30, 2017, and has since been updated.
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6 "Shoulds" to Abandon Right Now
Don’t let them hold you back.
Photo: Anna Shvets for Pexels
The shoulds. Whether you realize it or not, they’re holding you down and requiring you to keep up in a way that steers off your own track.
In fact, Eleanor Roosevelt’s famous counsel, “When you adopt the standards and the values of someone else… you surrender your own integrity,” is a fancy way of saying, drop the shoulds. Those rules by which everyone else is living. They are crazy-making.
There is no straight shot, one path, one-size-fits-all on the career climb. If you’re trying to keep up with a “perfect” ghost, it’s time to let that go and get in the right mindset for business success. So here are six shoulds we *suggest* you drop now.
Should have known better
Every entrepreneur will tell you about the mistakes they've made and how they were an integral part of the learning and growing process. The mistakes are there to help you learn.
No matter how many mistakes you make, you are ahead of everyone who isn't trying.
Maybe you hired a friend, sent a slightly too aggressive email, stood your ground when it was time to bite your tongue. You live, you learn, and you adjust. You can't know better without knowing first.
Should be further in my career
This is a mindset that affects everyone in every decade of their life. We want a better title. A bigger office. A higher-paying salary. And late at night when we're staring at the ceiling thinking about the how, the why, the when of it all, it's because we're bogged down (and kept up) by the idea that we should have had X experience and X success at this point.
But what are we really comparing our lot against? If it's personal goals where you've missed the mark, think of ways to proactively achieve them. IF however, you are comparing your career to a friend’s, stop and get some shut-eye instead.
Truly achieving your goals, means your success will not look like anyone else's—that includes time frames. So you didn't write your masterpiece or make Forbes' 30 Under 30 list? 35 is as great a year as 25 to give it your all.
Should have thought of that first
Well, you didn't. Or maybe you did, and you didn't act on it. Them's the breaks. So whaddya say we blow off this kind of thinking? The best move you can make is another one (and another one) and stop dwelling on what you didn't do.
Instead of allowing someone else's successful idea to get you down, use it as aspirational inspiration. Sit down and find your own passion. (That's another thing we've learned. You need to be obsessed with your own idea in order to make your company work.)
Should have stuck your neck (or hand) out more
There are opportunities that cross our paths multiple times a day. Sometimes we take advantage, and other times we shy away from the conversation or confrontation.
Conference calls when we're silent. Board meetings when we let a colleague take credit for our idea. There are professional moments when it's smarter to take the quiet road (sometimes known as the high road). However, if there is a situation that's haunting you, use it as fire for the next round of opps. You can't change the past, but the future is all yours.
Should have been a mom by now
Millennials are waiting longer to have kids than ever before. And that's a good thing. You don't need to follow anyone's womb agenda. Period.
Should have been a cowboy
Toby Keith has some life regrets. He should have been a cowboy. He should have learned to rope and ride, but the truth is you can still make hay while the sun is shining.
The point is, it's never too late to be a cowboy or a cowgirl. All you need are the cojones to saddle up and ride right into your future.
This post was published on April 17, 2019, and has since been updated.
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The First Four Things You Should Do EVERY Work Day
Eat the frog, get ahead, and hit all your goals.
If you're working from home and wondering where the week went, don’t worry—we're wondering the same thing. But instead of sitting here thinking about what we haven't yet achieved, we're sharing tips on how to take the next day by the horns. (World domination from there—who’s with us?)
If you're currently lacking in the productivity department, grab some coffee and start making these successful morning habits part of your routine. Ahead, we’re outlining exactly what you need to do to eat the frog, get ahead, and hit all your goals. Feeling pumped? Keep scrolling for more.
1. Eat the frog.
Mark Twain once said that if the first thing you do in the morning is eat a live frog, you can go through the rest of the day knowing it can’t get any worse. That doesn’t mean you have to go and switch your soy latte for a frog—it simply means you should do your most important assignment first. Studies have shown that you have the most willpower in the morning, so harness your motivation mojo and master your most important task bright and early.
2. Scan for red flags.
Productivity experts recommend that you not spend your morning reading and answering emails (it can totally derail your good AM intentions). Focus your morning on what you need to get done—not the little things people need from you. Quickly scan your emails to see if there is anything high-priority that will affect your goals for the day, then keep the trains moving. As Julie Morgenstern, author of Never Check Email in the Morning, told HuffPost, “Those requests and those interruptions and those unexpected surprises and those reminders and problems are endless… there is very little that cannot wait a minimum of 59 minutes.” So, if you want to be more productive throughout your day, step away from your inbox in the morning. Seriously.
3. Rally your to-do list.
Organizing your to-do list might sound like yet another thing to add to the chaos, but doing so is like creating a compass to get you to that golden “closing time” hour. How do you decide which task is “more important” than another? Use time management and productivity expert Laura Vanderkam’s advice and quickly ask yourself five questions: Does it take a step toward a big professional goal? Does your boss say it’s a top priority? Does it make you money? Does it lighten your mental load? Can it only be done today? Once you have your list organized, break down any big tasks into specific actions you’ll take to accomplish them.
4. Check-in with your team.
It’s small but mighty: Say hello to your colleagues in the morning. Not only will it help you start the day in a good mood, but they’ll be much more likely to help a friendly colleague than a Grumplestiltskin if you need help putting out a fire later that afternoon.
So, there you have it: The four things you should do to accomplish more throughout the workday. Drink coffee, eat a metaphorical frog, and get to work.
About the Author: Elana Lyn Gross is a freelance journalist and founder of the personal and professional development website, Elana Lyn. She has interviewed hundreds of businesswomen for her Career Profile series. Follow her here: @ElanaLynGross on Instagram and @ElanaLyn on Twitter.
This post was published on February 8, 2019, and has since been updated.
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How Much Do You Make? Here's How to Tackle the Uncomfortable Questions
If it don't make dollars, it don't make sense.
Photo: Courtesy of Create & Cultivate
“Do you mind if I ask… ?” These are six little words that almost always preface questions about money, especially among female friends. “Do you mind if I ask how much that cost?” “Do you mind if I ask how much your rent is?” “Do you mind if I ask how much you make?”
Women have traditionally shied away from discussing personal finances, instead choosing to tiptoe rather clumsily around these conversations. But like anything else, if we don’t talk about it, we won’t get good at it. From asking for a raise to investing in a 401(k), there is so much good advice to be gleaned from your friend group.
Keep reading to learn a few ways to broach money talk with friends.
TALK SALARY OPENLY AND HONESTLY
Have an honest conversation with your friends about what they are making and their financial goals. The second part of this is equally as important as the first. Talking salary with friends can boost your financial confidence, which in turn can have a positive impact on your career. It can also highlight if you should be making more.
If you know your friends are making more money than you, use it as motivation to achieve your financial goals. Journalist Moira Forbes once told me, “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.” See it, hear it, and share it—because the highest wave floats all boats.
ASK FOR ADVICE ABOUT RAISES
The raise conversation is a tricky one to have with colleagues because we don’t generally divulge our salary to our co-workers. If you’ve already had the salary talk with close friends, chatting over the realistic and unrealistic expectations of your raise will prove beneficial to all parties. However, because money is a sensitive topic, try to have the conversation with a friend who is paddling in a similar financial boat. Talking to a friend that makes significantly less than you could potentially strain the relationship. Talking to a friend that makes significantly more than you might have you reaching toward an unrealistic branch on the money tree.
Aim for the middle and be prepared to have a real talk about what you’re worth and why. A true friend will not only help prepare you for the convo, but will steer you in a realistic direction toward your goals. Understanding how to price yourself is paramount, and the more we understand the realities of others’ financial situations, the better we understand our own.
“Sharing salaries: if we don’t talk about it, we won’t get good at it.”
SHARE FINANCIAL MISSTEPS
Our relationship with money can sometimes feel like a bad marriage. We don’t talk about the things that bother us, instead choosing to sweep problems under the rug in the hopes that they might disappear. The great thing about true blue friendship is that you can talk about anything—especially when you’re not in the green.
Our friends are there to remind us that the idea of "keeping up" with others is one of the biggest illusions out there. If you thought you’d be making more, saving more, or wrapping up those student loans, it’s time to assess and call up a friend. Talking through missteps or how much you’re putting on your credit card every month will lend a little financial clarity.
MAKE A PACT TO BUDGET
Oh, the expensive inconvenience of convenience. Are you spending an absurd amount on apps like Uber and Postmates? It’s easy to push a button, but not so easy to stomach the end-of-month tally. If you have a habit of spending money on easy-come services, it’s time to sit down with friends and chat about how they save for their future. Make a pact with your BFF to delete apps like Postmates from your phone. You don’t need everything to be delivered to your doorstep, and doing it together makes it less painful.
BE AWARE OF OTHERS' FINANCIAL SITUATIONS
The friends who are married with kids. The single friend with a disposable income. The one who created an app and is rolling in dough. The reality is that most of your friends will be in very different financial situations. When you're the one trying to make ends meet, a simple dinner can be anxiety-inducing. Your friends may be buying bottles while you can barely afford a glass of the house red. A couple of things: If you know you can’t afford dinner, don’t go. The more transparent route is to make it known from the start of the meal that you can’t simply split the bill evenly. If they are truly your friends, they won’t care one little bit.
On the other hand, if it's your pockets that are heavy and you want to invite a friend to dinner, make sure to suggest a restaurant that you both can afford. What's better than Taco Tuesday? Be realistic and your friendship won’t become tense.
How do you talk about dollars with friends? Share below!
This post was originally published on December 22, 2017, and has since been updated.
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The Importance of Mentors & How to Find Them
They are out they and they want to be found.
"Get mentors." That's Alexa von Toble's advice to young entrepreneurs.
Von Toble, who remains CEO of LearnVest, the financial planning company which sold for more than $250 million in 2015, echoes something we've always promoted at Create & Cultivate.
Mentors are not only a wealth of information for the career-driven young-preneur, they also help boost your confidence by given you actionable advice. Something we consider vital when you're starting out.
So why mentors?
Mentors are inspiring
Ask any successful person about their career trajectory and they will always cite people who have inspired them. They have stories that push us to work harder. They've made mistakes we can learn from. They have wins that keep us going.
It's like having an inspirational professional playbook.
Mentors tell you when you should do better
Constructive criticism is easier to take from a mentor than from a boss. If you've chosen one or two people who you really trust, then you can remove any workplace issues or resentments that make it hard to hear what your boss (or superior) is saying.
No one likes being told that they're wrong. Or that their work needs improvement. But when it is coming from an objective third party, it's much easier to stomach and will likely inspire you to *gasp* do better.
Mentors have key relationships
If you impress your mentor, chances are they are going to find a way to connect you to other people who matter, professionally speaking. Often this can happen naturally. People who are willing to be mentors like connecting the dots and as such, will connect the dots.
Plus paying it forward is a win-win. When you are in a position to introduce them or connect them to new clients, do it.
Mentors know what it takes to make it
Work. Work. Work. Work. Work. That's what it takes, and when you're midnight-deep in another oil burner at the office, and you don't think you can do it anymore, a text to your mentor that reminds you they were once (and probably still are — because making it means even later hours) in the same boat, goes a long way.
They've also heard "NO" a million ways and never gave up.
A little bit of encouragement from someone you respect and trust? That's the juice that turns into a money-making smoothie.
Just because you’ve made it, doesn’t mean you don’t need a mentor
Sophia Rivka Rossi co-founder of HelloGiggles, has “made it” by most professional standards. The feel-good company online platform was acquired by TIME last year for an estimated $30 million. And yet, when speaking with Elizabeth Rice and Julie Cutler, co-founders of SoulCycle, she cited both women as her mentors, and who she continues to look to for for inspiration. Smart, savvy, successful business women never stop learning. It's how you grow. Even when you think you're tall AF — there are still professional inches to be gained.
Where to find them
One, at Create & Cultivate. Have you become an insider yet?
Two, six degrees of separation is real. One very simple way to see who knows who you want to know, is to look through who your friends follow on Instagram. You'd be surprised to find out how interwoven our lives are. Then, craft that DM and tell person X that you'd love to bring them coffee and take 15 minutes of their time.
It could be the beginning of an amazing working relationship.
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So You Started A Business... Now What?
Now the work starts.
If you're like us, Jen Gotch's Instgram stories are at the top of your must-watch list. Every. damn. day. The CCO and Founder of the fun-centric Ban.do has built a brand with cult-like following of millennials. #FORBES. While she might not like to admit it, she's pretty D.O.P.E. at this whole business thing. And when she's not making us laugh (and/or cry and/or laugh-cry) on IG stories, she shoots an advice series called Honor Roll answering fan-submitted questions about business-related things + more.
Watch her spill solid biz advice below and be sure to nab a ticket to Create & Cultivate LA, where Jen will be spilling even more on our "Never Not Posting" panel.
Q: SHOULD I BRING ON A BUSINESS PARTNER?
Q: HOW DO YOU HIRE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE A FIT FOR YOUR COMPANY?
Q: HOW DO YOU STAY MOTIVATED FOR NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT?
Meet the Latinas in STEM Inspiring the Next Generation
These 5 MIT grads took matters into their own hands.
Jazlyn Carvajal, Diana Albarrán Chicas, Cecilia Fernández, Kimberly Gonzales, Joanna Gonzalez, Desiree Lassiter, Maribel Mendoza, and Nidia Trejo make up the Latinas in STEM Board of Directors, an organization founded by 5 MIT alumnae looking to formalize the service work they were doing in their respective communities.
The founders of the organization are all first generation American women who have been the first in their families to attend college. They have careers in industry with a long track record of community service. The current board consists of professional Latina women who are interested in providing Latinas with mentorship, resources, and access to careers in STEM.
The stats around women in STEM aren’t great. And the barriers to entry for women of color are compounded. A lack of role models, lagging outreach, and overall limited parental awareness, leads to dismal numbers. So you’ve heard.
But with organizations like Latinas in STEM, founded in 2013, there is hope. And not only on the horizon.
Their goals include: inspiring young women to consider STEM careers, increasing the number of Latina women pursuing STEM careers, and creating a network that enables women in STEM to survive. Their programs include K-12 student and parent outreach, college student support, and professional development that enables their network to grow and reach more students.
It’s vital work that serves the community and world.
More from the Board of Directors below.
What is the most important step you took to get here?
The most important step was starting a dialogue among friends about the need in our communities and our desires to help our communities in a more formal matter. It was a simple Facebook group message sent among friends that eventually led to the formal organization of Latinas in STEM.
What are some challenges you’ve encountered along the way?
There have been many challenges for us as a group. To begin, the group is currently completely volunteer run, meaning that we all have day jobs as STEM professionals. As such, one of the challenges has been carving sufficient time to help our organization progress along the way. Luckily, we have had a lot of support from our networks and other organizations who have similar goals.
What keeps you going?
Knowing that we can encourage Latinas whose shoes we were once in -- to do well in math and science subjects, get good grades to enter college, and follow a career path of their dreams.
Who are the people you consider your mentors or influences and why?
Our first mentors and influences for many of us were our families. We have all had various mentors throughout our careers including each other.
What is the best piece of "real talk" advice you've received?
Stay humble. Know that your career path and your goals may change over time, but stay true to yourself along the way.
What is your favorite life advice?
One of the greatest things we can have as women is education. Our knowledge and opinions are valuable to share with the world to help make it better.
Is there a time in your lives when you've thought, 'I can't do this anymore?'
We’ve all overcome a lot of adversity in our lives. We move forward and make opportunities by being proactive.
What’s next? What are the five year goals?
Next, we plan to expand the organization, and hire full-time administrators to help us continue the work that we are doing. As we mentioned, currently we are 100% volunteer run, but we want to expand our work by reaching out to more people nationwide. We need more woman power, and so we hope to formalize the group even more.
What is a habit or routine you swear by?
Share your big goals with others- it makes you accountable and also may open new doors.
"Share your big goals with others- it makes you accountable."
Tweet this.
How have your relationships to your careers changed in the last five years?
Embracing the idea that mentoring the next generation of STEM experts outside of our individual, professional work is an important part of our career journeys.
How have your personal relationships changed in the last five years?
We encourage one another to embrace failures and share these stories with our Latina members. It’s important for our members to know about our successes as Latinas in STEM, and it is equally important to tell our stories of roadblocks and lessons learned. Although it can be difficult to think back on difficult situations, our stories can be what inspires our members to continue pursuing and thriving in STEM fields.
What does female empowerment mean to you?
It means supporting and mentoring one another to achieve our goals. It means being critical of each other in a way that helps build other women up, and not tear them down. It means helping other women achieve their dreams.
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A Crippling Disease Won't Stop This Harvard MBA & Mom
Because Fridays are made to inspire.
Samantha with son Rocky. photo credit: Taryn Kent
In 2014, I was a couple years fresh off a Harvard Business School MBA program, feeling pretty proud of myself as a 26 year old CFO for a large marketing and web development company in San Diego. I worked 55+ hours a week and loved every second of it. Most of the time. OK, some of the time. Once I found out I was pregnant in October 2015, I decided to venture off on my own and launch my business coaching company, Little Petunia Consulting. I knew there was no way I would be able to handle the work stress, a new baby, and my own health.
See, in addition to being a mama and a boss lady, I also struggle daily with a chronic disease known as Meniere’s disease. Meniere’s disease is a rare vestibular disorder that showers you with fun symptoms such as —
vertigo (attacks can last anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours)
loss of hearing
tinnitus
loss of balance
migraines with aura (blackout blindness in my case)
nausea, vomiting, and sweating caused by severe vertigo
chronic fatigue
I had to learn really early on in this new phase of my life what my limitations were and how to cope so I wouldn’t lose my shit. It’s taken 9 months, but I feel like I finally have a healthy balance down thanks to some serious tricks and discipline.
I TAKE CARE OF MYSELF
The most important thing I had to learn in this new balancing act was taking care of myself first, so that I could take care of my baby, my clients and everything else afterward. I’ve learned to take a lot of precautions in order to maintain the flow. This means —
No hour long trips to Target just for fun (the fluorescents trigger my attacks)
Drinking a ton of water and resting my body more often than most
Saying “no” when it doesn’t suit my schedule or will overwork me
Disconnecting from screens in order to reset my vestibular system
Another huge precaution I take in order to maintain a healthy balance is by setting some serious boundaries and sticking with them. This means my designated work hours are my work hours, and that work life doesn’t trickle into my time with my kiddo.
"Work life doesn’t trickle into my time with my kiddo."
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Having everything mush together leads to more stress, which leads to more Meniere’s attacks. Boundaries are key.
I CULTIVATE & MAINTAIN AN IDEAL CLIENT BASE
One of the things I love about working with creatives is they tend to not follow the rigid 9-5 rules. They like to meet in coffee shops, and if there are times when my husband or my mom can’t watch the baby, there is noone more excited to hold him while we get down to business. Clearly defining my ideal client has been huge for the success of my business and allows me to work with like minded people who appreciate this season in my life.
I'M ORGANIZED TO A "T"
You guys, I live and die by Asana. I create documented processes for everything — client workflows, intake assessments, onboarding, you name it. I plug each tasks into Asana and assign myself deliverables and due dates. I always have a landscape view of what my week looks like so I can manage my time effectively and adjust as needed.
This also goes for my baby. I use apps to track feedings, diapers, sleep cycles, etc. I know every movement this kiddo makes. I can’t tell you how many times I cross-reference my Asana with my baby apps to get shit done. “Hmm, OK it has been 2 hours and 10 minutes since the last feed which means I have approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes to get this client proposal done”. It’s life saving.
I KEEP MY BABY CLOSE
The biggest factor in maintaining work-mama-health balance? Babywearing. I wrap this kid up in a ring sling and get my shit done. Because, as most mothers will tell you, the time you really need to get stuff done is the exact time your child refuses to be put down. Babywearing for the win, forever.
Becoming a mama was the greatest life change that has ever happened to me. It allowed me to step back, reevaluate my priorities, and cultivate a career that I truly love. Balancing motherhood, my career, and my life with a chronic disease has been far from easy, but I’m grateful for finding tools and techniques that work for me and allow me to cultivate my best life yet.
Want to know more about Samantha Welker and her co? Head over to Little Petunia Consulting and follow the boss mom on Instagram here.
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How the VP of Marketing at CB2 Creates Its Swoon-Worthy Appeal
Plus her super sleek trick for Instagram giveaways.
photo credit: CB2
Alicia Waters is the powerhouse behind CB2's amazing marketing. As the Vice President of Marketing for the brand that attracts consumers young and old, she is responsible for the voice, the look, and the swoon-worthy pics we can't get enough of. Elevated doesn't have to mean $$$.
Who among the lot of us doesn't covet just about everything in those CB2 catalogs? And guess what? Traditional marketing has changed so much that user-generated content actually now informs what goes into them. If you're feeling curious, you're not alone.
We picked Waters' brill brain about collabs, campaigns, and hooking an entire world on the CB2 aesthetic. And trust us when we say, you might want their goods in your living room, but after reading the below, you'll definitely want to invite Waters over for tea too.
What was your very first job and what skill did you learn there that you still use today?
My first job was in sales at a custard shop. It paid $5.50/hour and was my first taste of independence, so was glorious. Plus lots of free custard -- so what's not to like? I worked there for five years and learned a lot about customer service - i.e. caring for customers when they were disappointed, rewarding best customers in special ways, among other things. (People can get pretty angry, especially about ice cream.) On my first week a man threw his half eaten custard cup at the window at me because I had topped it with hot fudge instead of chocolate... that experience alone taught me how to diffuse anger and to implement checks and balances to drive a more flawless operation.
What do you wish more people understood about what you do?
I think most people have an innate sense of how they want to be marketed to. This points to the fact that marketing really is about psychology and empathy at its core -- and that's what I love about it. That said, I'm not sure if people realize that marketing decisions are rooted in analytics. We constantly sift through data to identify segments and micro segments, to dissect / optimize media performance, and to understand the incrementality of various media platforms to make sure we're getting the best return on our dollars. Even with creative ideas and decisions, we are constantly looking through data to optimize performance.
"Even with creative ideas and decisions, we're looking through data to optimize performance."
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Which parts of your business come the most naturally to you? What skills have you had to work overtime to develop?
When I joined CB2, I was comfortable with the strategy & marketing pieces, having studied both disciplines in college/grad school and having led marketing teams at other companies. I truly do like all aspects of marketing, but my favorite marketing activities are collaborations and customer research.
The aspects of the business that were newer to me upon joining CB2 were e-commerce and visual merchandising. The A/B testing approach of e-commerce has inspired me to mimic a similar process when testing new marketing vendors. Visual merchandising is an incredibly effective discipline that balances creative/analytical. I've realized that visual merchandising and marketing are cousins, and must work in synch at all times. So we've maximized our cross-functional communication among those two groups as well.
We now live and work in the multi-screen economy. How do you ensure the CB2 vibe is strong through all your channels?
We use a basic content calendar to coordinate messaging across channels. Our teams are challenged to ensure that our messaging is cohesive -- yet differentiated by channel -- so customers have a real reason to engage with us across platforms. Not an easy task!
Marketers need to know how to merge disciplines. It’s not just enough to have beautiful ad anymore. Would you say that marketing and branding need to have a 360 approach and how does social tie into this?
Not too many years ago, our distribution channels were really simple - retail, e-commerce, and catalog. Now, our distributions model has become exponentially fragmented. My role has morphed into the voice of the customer (across platforms & fragmented distribution channels), identification of new collaborators and technologies/vendors to test, in addition to my "base" job. When I first started at CB2, customers primarily got their inspiration from print and catalogs ... while both still play a role, clearly that model has blown up! Social media has become the place where our customers start their searches and do research. We need to be where they are (which means we test out new platforms continuously), providing information and inspiration that informs and excites them. The beauty of social media is the real time feedback ... our customers have impeccable taste and quickly give us a sense of where we need to head. Programs like #mycb2 (user-generated content) have started to actually inform our catalog shoots (vs. the other way around) as our creative customers use and shoot our product in incredibly innovative ways.
The CB2 collab with Lenny Kravitz drove crazy sales and engagement, which can be hard for any brand to pull off. What do you think you do differently that made that work so well?
Thank you!! I think a key factor in that collaboration's success was that it came from a place of authenticity. The theme and inspiration behind the collection came from Mr. Kravitz himself, whose own extraordinary vision & life shaped every glamorous, sexy piece. Also, the CB2 design and buying teams gave full rein to Kravitz Design to create the pieces (rather than micromanaging in any way), so they ended up in a place that wasn't watered down but instead true to the original vision. Our customers care a lot about authenticity. The visuals and tactics we developed fell into line under that same vision. My favorite individual marketing tactic was the social media auction on Instagram. We posted a photo of the sleek Nova Side Table and asked people to bid on the piece by commenting “I want it” in the comments. The person to leave the last comment at the end of the auction won the item. Trick is, we didn't state the end time.
photo credit: CB2
How did the collab with Ross Cassidy come about?
I met Ross through our Webby winning campaign, APT CB2, back in 2014. Ross was a rising star and Pin influencer who rallied our customer base to create a crowdsourced design of a stunning dining room online that CB2 then built out in real time in a New York City apartment. I was equal parts blown away by his unequivocal talent and his magnetic charm. It was clear there was an opportunity to share Ross' design vision with our customers as it felt really fresh and elevated for the brand. At his first meeting with our head of brand Ryan Turf, he came more than prepared, bringing along full sketches for a Japanese-inspired collection with CB2. We were smitten, the rest was history.
Any advice for young women who are looking to stand out in their careers?
My advice is to be authentic to yourself and to work hard. Understand your strengths and find environments where you can shine - run from those that require you to try and be something you are not.
"Run from environments that require you to try and be something you're not."
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What has been your personal edge and helped you stand out through your career?
A bit of a rule breaker attitude. I have never been a great rule follower. Today's constantly evolving marketplace, which is always thirsty for new ways of thinking and new models, suits me pretty well.
The Beyoncé lyric that describes your mood right now?
Don't bore me, just show me - Check On It
As someone who has to travel a lot for work, what are your secret airport hacks?
I always take a photo of my parking spot so I don't forget it, and I pack a few extra ziplock bags and am surprised every trip that they still come in handy. I wear a scarf on most flights and use it as a pillow if needed, and I bring my eye shade to I can get some zzzz's.
My favorite airport hack at Chicago's O'Hare Airport (my airport) is that you can order tortas by Frontera (acclaimed chef Rick Bayless's famous restaurant) on an app -- so I can pick them up on my way to my flights or I place an order as I'm landing and then have a delicious meal to pick up/ take home.
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The 4 Non-Negotiables to Look for When Hiring
The secrets to building a great team.
photo credit: Sara Forrest
Katherine Warnock, General Manager at Darling says that one of her greatest strengths as a leader in business is her ability to hire and create a dynamic team.
Katherine says, "through the years my love for people, in all their uniqueness, coupled with my background in strategic, creative and branding-based management has developed a keen eye for talent."
Instead of trying to answer the impossible blanket questions, "how do you build a team?" she tries to point to the rarely promoted non-negotiables when it comes to building a dynamic, driven and seamless team. Here are her top four:
1. CULTURE
This is one of the most important elements I look for when hiring. I am always asking myself when making a hire, “Is this person going to add to our culture or bring it down?” I want contributors, not distractors. I want peaceful seekers of excellence and bold communicators, not toxic gossips or entitled mentalities. I’m very protective of the atmosphere I, as a manager, am asking my staff to spend a majority of their time in. I learned long ago that one must tend to culture the same way one tends to a garden — with intentionality, love and a commitment to warding off the weeds.
2. IDENTITY
Sense of self. I want to know who you are and that you know who you are. It is important to me that you know not only your strengths, but that you are also at peace with your process in the areas you still need development in. The art of process and development is so often overlooked by managers. I have no problem hiring people that still need development. I do, however, steer away from hires where I do not feel a potential employee is self aware of what they do and do not bring to the table.
I love someone who knows their weaknesses and who isn’t afraid of the fact that they are still on a journey. I can work, mentor and shape those types of people. I don’t have room for ego or pretenses; I do have time for process.
3. RESPECT
Do they honor well? Honor and respect are the foundation from which I manage and are therefore traits that I require in any hire that I make. I want to build a culture around people who understand the potency of respect and of giving honor to those above them, around them and below them. I will not hire someone that lacks in this.
So many organizations and businesses today want to see the world changed, sustainable enterprise garnered, people united, impactful reach developed and walls broken down; it’s all an admirable pursuit that starts here, both in making the posture of respect and the ability to honor requirements in any hire.
"I want contributors, not distractors. I want peaceful seekers of excellence and bold communicators."
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4. TEACHABILITY
Can this person be molded? Or do they think they have arrived? Can I give them constructive feedback that yields mature dialogue? Or will I be met with defensiveness? When hiring I want to make sure I am building a team of teachable people who embrace and esteem the importance of growth. I do not care if you have a list of accolades as long as Steve Jobs or Mother Theresa, if you are not willing to press into the best version of yourself, alongside a community trying to do the same, then I will not hire you.
Bottom-line, no one sprints to line up for constructive feedback. It is hard and vulnerable for all of us, but I want to search out those who are brave enough to invite and even pursue feedback. That’s how we grow, by allowing that which we cannot see about ourselves, our blind-spots, be brought to the forefront so we can get there faster, together.
What makes me good at my job? I’ve learned that these foundational pillars can be replicable for anyone, anywhere — employer and job seeker alike — if we are willing to follow them and in equal measure let them mold us. I doubt many would disagree with the above, as they are all virtuous and estimable traits. To that end I’m not actually saying anything new or controversial here.
I’m more asking the next wave of business leaders and business makers (employees) to go beyond the singular, yet necessary, pursuit of abilities by expanding their scope to include these markers which will serve them and the vision far more than skills alone ever could.
An original version of this article appeared on Darling.
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How to Create a Killer Gut Instinct for Business
Step 1: travel. Step 2: get lost.
Image credit: Curated Cool
As someone who’s traveled her entire life, traversing at different speeds has given me the tools needed to graduate from each lesson along the way. Whether short trips or long ones, living in various countries for years at a time, or backing the world for nine months straight, travel is impactful. Beyond that, it is tough, life-changing and eye-opening.
It's also has taught me most of the skills I apply in business today.
Here are my top six:
BE CULTURALLY SAVVY
We have a global economy. Which means jobs are no longer relegated to one city. Many offices operate in multiple countries, and being able to understand co-workers culture or learn the methodology of how and why someone works the way they do, can give you currency. You’ll have more in common and will be a relatable employee, making your added two cents go that much further.
TAKE RISKS
I learned this one the hard way: by actually doing it. On a bus trip in Vietnam, I needed to go to the toilet and the bus stopped in a tiny place that wasn’t even on the map. With seconds to decide, I looked at my friend and said, “What do we have to lose? Let's just do it.” It ended up being one of many jump, and the net will appear moments. Companies look for people who aren’t afraid of the unknown, as they seek out the curious. Know that even if you fail, the good ones fail forward.
"Know that even if you fail, the good ones fail forward."
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Without risk, there is no reward.
WORK OUT YOUR GUT INSTINCT
A favorite muscle of mine that is often overlooked is the inner gut. It needs to be worked out and strengthened, just like anything else. When you're traveling problem solving is part of the itinerary and you become accountable for your actions and make choices on-the-go.
When we aren’t surrounded by people to make choices for us we develop a killer gut instinct that can prove very beneficial to your career. Employers encourage workers to form opinions, make snap but important choices, go with their gut, and many times will put you in a position where you are the final decision-maker. What’s your gut telling you to do?
PROBLEM SOLVE LIKE A PRO
Nothing says time to problem solve like the wrong direction, out of gas, missed a flight, forgot my stop and no English. The above has happened to me in so many ways, and then some! I figured it out, survived, and you will too.
Companies love to see how a worker handles problems that get thrown their way.
EXPERIENCE GRATITUDE
Sure, it's nice to think we can make it on our own, but the reality? Yeah, we all need people. I’ve never been in a country where I didn’t need help, sought out advice, or listened to a local. People have been so kind and gracious towards me on journeys, it's only right to pay it forward.
By asking your co-workers or friends in business how you can help them in their life, or perhaps help with a problem that needs solving, you're showcasing your uniqueness, your willingness to help, and the art of contributing in a selfless way. Trust me, it’s a thing.
DEVELOP CONFIDENCE
You don’t need months of travel to obtain it, but by making tough choices, taking risks, and jumping every hurdle that comes your way (sometimes gracefully, sometimes not) you’ll get there. Spending months in countries where you don’t speak or read the language will help you develop an internal confidence that is irreplaceable.
Cream rises to the top, and a smart boss will recognize this. Own your confidence and wear it proud.
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Melinda Fleming is the founder of Curated Cool. She been blessed by the Dalai Lama, trekked the Himalayas, and shopped the flea markets of London . She is always seeking what’s unique & chic regardless of the city or town she's in.
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Top 5 Things to Remember When You’re Searching for a Job
Don't do the spray and pray.
photo credit: Sugar & Cloth
Looking for a new job is hard. It's as simple as that, and it’s easy to forget these top 5 things to remember when you're searching. You may be working long hours at a day job while searching for the career of your dreams, or you may have left a job only to spend countless hours searching for a new position. Whatever situation you may be in, you’re not alone.
Searching for a job can be a long and tedious process, and it's easy to feel dejected, however it is important to keep your spirits up and remember that everything always works itself out. It doesn't make it any easier at the time, but often when you look back upon a time you were struggling, you'll see how far you've progressed. To make it a little easier on you, I've rounded up the top 5 things to remember when you're searching for a job:
DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY, AND TRY TO LOOK AT THINGS FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
You may have applied to hundreds or thousands of jobs, and it's easy to get down on yourself, but it's always important to look at things from a different perspective. You have no idea who's on the other end, sifting through applications. Sometimes jobs are only posted for legal reasons, even when the company has a candidate in mind. Don't take it personally if you don't hear from an online job application. Chances are that it has nothing to do with you!
REMEMBER THAT YOU’RE LIKELY ONE OF HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF APPLICANTS
Because we have such easy access to job postings through online job sites such as LinkedIn, it is very common to be one of hundreds or thousands of applicants. The problem is that even if you’re completely qualified and would be a great candidate for the position, you may get passed over due to the sheer volume of candidates applying. Often there are so many applicants that determining which candidates should move forward is like finding a needle in a haystack. Be patient, make your application great, and don’t make the mistake of thinking that you’re the only person to apply.
"Be patient, make your application great, and don’t make the mistake of thinking that you’re the only person to apply."
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DON’T APPLY TO EVERY JOB UNDER THE SUN
Recruiters call this tactic “spray and pray,” and it’s not a tactic that anyone in the hiring industry would recommend. Contrary to popular belief, applying to more jobs is not better. The quality of each application you submit is much more important than the quantity. It’s much better to apply to a few jobs that you really want, and focus on customizing your resume and cover letter to each position than to cast wide net and apply to a lot of jobs with the same resume and cover letter.
When you use the same general resume and cover letter to apply to a plethora of jobs, recruiters and hiring managers can tell. By using terms such as “your company” instead of actually writing out the company name, or not referencing specific aspects of the company and/or job description, it becomes transparent that you’re using that resume and cover letter to apply everywhere.
What’s wrong with that? It gives off the notion that you’re too lazy to customize your documents, and that you don’t care about the company which you’re applying for. Make sure you show the hiring manager and/or recruiter who you really are and pour your soul into each application. It may be a pain at the time, but your effort will show through and benefit you.
YOU HAVE TO WANT IT, AND SHOW OTHERS THAT YOU WANT IT
I often see people who are applying for jobs they aren’t super excited about, and it is always very apparent in their applications. When on a job search, you have to be determined and know what you want. If you want something bad enough and work hard enough to get there, it will show through in your resume, cover letter, interview, and overall actions. Companies want to hire people who know what they want and will work their butt off to get there. If you’re neck in neck with another candidate, a company will almost always choose the candidate who wants it more. If you’re passionate, you’ll work harder, and that’s what kind of employees companies want to hire. If you can show how much you want the position in your application, you’ll always have good results.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO USE YOUR CONNECTIONS
This is one of the biggest mistakes people make. A lot of people seem to be afraid of using their connections because they don’t want it to appear as though they got the position because of who they know. It’s not ideal to be handed a job just because you know someone with authority, but reaching out to people you know in a similar field or work in a company you want to work for is always a good idea.
There may be a job opportunity coming up that you would only hear about through an internal source. You’ll still need to submit a resume and go through the application process, but reaching out to a contact could present you with a new opportunity that you had no idea existed. Remember that if you won’t reach out and use your connections, there are plenty of people who will, and they will be the ones to hear about new opportunities before anyone else. Chances are that you will never regret reaching out to a connection to let them know you’re looking for a job.
It can be hard to keep your spirits up during a job search, but remember that countless people are facing the same struggles as you, and at some point or another, every single person has been there. Take advantage of free time if you have it, and become the best version of yourself. Take a class, do some volunteer work, and polish your application package. No one will look down upon you for taking time to improve yourself. Regardless of how you’re handling your job search, don’t forget about these top 5 things to remember when you're searching for a job.
A native San Franciscan, Michele Lando is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and founder of writestylesonline.com. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves, both on paper and in person, and works to polish individuals' application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles presents tips to enhance your resume, style, and boost your confidence.
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Is a Social Media Presence More Powerful Than a Degree?
Would you rather be 100k in debt or have 100k followers?
It started with an Instagram post. "I remember the old days when you needed a degree and a resume to get a job. Now you need 10k followers and a mediocre blog."
It's a little painful to read because there is some truth to it.
Let's look at the numbers first, because based on these alone, it appears much more lucrative to focus on growing a following. (Don't despair yet.)
The graduating class of 2015 was the most indebted in history. Prior to 2015, the graduating class of 2014 was the most indebted in history. Sense a pattern? As of March 2015, according to the Federal Reserve, the outstanding student loan debt in the U.S. stood at $1.27 trillion, and that number is only expected to grow.
That's right. Not millions. Not billions. This is literally a trillion dollar issue.
Complicating this problem is that according to government data published by Edvisors.com, the average graduate in 2015 had about $35,000 in student loan debt, double what it was in the late nineties. The number of students taking out student loans has also increased sizably. In the nineties less than half of college graduates had taken out student loans. Today, over 70% of students leave school in the hole.
Adding insult to costly injury, guess what the average starting salary was for the class of 2015? According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers the average starting salary for those with liberal arts degrees (think most creatives) is under $38k. See the prob?
If your loan is 35k and your starting salary is approximately the same, how long do you think it's going to take to pay off that debt? Outstanding debt of this magnitude prevents the new working class from saving for retirement. It delays marriage and first home purchases.
It also has many asking, WTF? Should I have grown a following instead? And:
Is a social media presence more powerful than a degree?
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While studies show that college graduates consistently earn more than students with only a high school degree, this matter is complicated by research that suggests that while the Millennial generation is the best-educated in history, they are not earning more than earlier generations of young adults. According to the Pew Research Center the overall median earnings of today's Millenials are not that much different than the earnings of the Early Boomers ($34,833), Gen Xers ($32,173) or the Silents ($30,982).
And while the numbers still suggest that overall, college is a smart investment, we can't deny that there is extreme economic disparity between what a degree will get you and what a huge following can offer. Or even what a medium-sized following can produce. An Instagram user with 100k followers and decent engagement can earn 5k for a post-- and that is on the low end of the scale. Some bloggers are making 100k a month.
Though most bloggers zealously guard their income, Reward Style, the affiliate marketing network that helps bloggers monetize their content, keeps data on their top performers. They report these bloggers can make $80k per month on affiliate sales alone. Add in paid IG posts, brand deals, and book deals that come from strategic content, and you're looking at a revenue stream previously reserved for top business-people-- those with college degrees or masters.
But while these blogs have turned musings into a business, it will always be the bloggers who understand the who, what, why, and how of their brand that will be the most successful. They are the ones that understand the numbers beyond the following.
It's yet to be seen how this will play out, but there is a system of checks and balances seemingly in place. Sure graduates with student debt are starting careers from a disadvantageous position-- saddled by debt that effects nearly everything. But what they should be banking on, and working toward, is career longevity. Their salary, while initially low, will grow.
A blogger's career -- or rather, an Instagrammer with a large following-- might be making big dollar deposits in their life bank now, but there are a few inherent sustainability issues. One-- technology is always changing, and the ability to retain followers across multiple platforms so that you're giving a brand proven ROI is growing increasingly difficult. It's why we often hear successful bloggers at Create & Cultivate tell the audience that a high follower count should not be your end goal. Two-- in a more standard job market, you cannot put a junior employee in a senior position. Same cannot be said for bloggers.
A lot of followers is not a business plan.
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A blogger's career is in many ways much more precarious, in the same way a models' has always been; there is always someone younger, more connected, more tapped in, and ready to pull that Boucherouite rug right out from under your #shoefie.
While majoring in #selfies might feel like the career move to make (at least if King Kylie has a say), the best idea is to get a degree, simultaneously grow your following, and then use those blog dollars to pay off your student debt.
Arianna Schioldager is Create & Cultivate's editorial director. You can find her on IG @ariannawrotethis and more about her at this site she never updates www.ariannawrotethis.com
Founder of Career Contessa on the Non-Reality of Dream Jobs
And why the combo of "introvert" and "competitive as hell," make for a killer girl boss.
While on the hunt for her "dream" job, Lauren McGoodwin became a career junkie, obsessed with finding her place in the working world. She tried on the idea of numerous careers, from event producer to teacher, before realizing that she didn't believe in a dream career.
With this clarity, and loads of experience behind her, she left her job at Hulu to work on her brainchild, Career Contessa. Launched in 2013, it is an online platform dedicated to career and business advice for women, sharing inspiration, information, and direction-- the likes of which she's sharing with us.
You can never have too many honest conversations about the real work,
Did you have a dream career when you were young?
When I was a kid, I had many dream careers— I wanted to be everything from an interior designer to a dermatologist. In college, I decided to pursue a degree in education with the idea that I wanted to become a teacher. Somewhere around my junior year, I suddenly realized becoming a teacher wasn’t my dream. Instead I wanted to pursue a more “business-focused career.” I laugh looking back on that now because I really had no idea what that meant— or how to get started—I think mostly I just knew deep down a traditional 9-to-5 job wasn’t for me.
Was there a point when you realized just because it’s a dream doesn’t mean it’s always fun? And how did you handle that disconnect?
After stepping away from the teacher track, I asked myself what my “dream job” would be if I could pick anything. For me, event marketing sounded dynamic and exciting. I remember thinking: “How could it not be amazing?”
I worked very hard to find a summer internship—in fact, that was my first real introduction to job-hunting, networking, etc. Ultimately it worked, and I wound up at an event stadium in Portland, Oregon. Initially, I felt on top of the world. I got cool bragging rights with my friends because I spent all summer at concerts, and I could hook them up with free tickets. But behind the scenes, I was shocked to find I was bored.
"Behind the scenes, I was shocked to find I was bored."
During the internship, I had this moment where I realized that everything I’d tried so far, I’d hated. That was terrifying. I handled the disconnect by going back to school on a mission to participate in everything and anything the Career Center hosted, whatever it took to find my way. I was like a career junkie. I went to workshops, information sessions, career fairs, etc. to figure out what career I should pursue— and how to land it.
It was a period of experimentation, but letting go of the idea that there was one “right answer” ultimately saved me from myself. Actually, it was around this time that I realized I didn’t believe in the idea of a “dream job,” and I still don’t. Careers are so fluid these days, if you don’t leave yourself open to evolving, you’ll wind up unhappy—even if you’re sitting in the most gorgeous corner office or traveling the world and eating delicious meals on your per diem.
Same goes for moments of fear. What’s your advice for taking risk?
The majority of my life I’ve been very risk-averse, honestly. But running a start-up, suddenly fear and the unknown becomes just part of the day job.
For me, the secret is preparation. That might be writing something out, talking to a friend, or just giving myself plenty of time to think before I jump. I planned for over a year before I left my full-time job at Hulu to launch Career Contessa. I talked to other entrepreneurs, created a business plan, mapped out my expenses, etc. It was still scary to leave my stable career, but I felt more excited than anything because I’d spent the time to let the idea noodle. At some point, you’ve prepared so much, it just feels like you can’t turn back.
"I want to prove my fear wrong. Let your fear inspire you."
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For the times when you can’t really prepare, I say “fake it till you make it.” I’m an introvert so public speaking makes my nerves go crazy. But I’m also competitive as hell so when I host a workshop or panel, I let the fear push me forward. It’s like competing with myself—I want to prove my fear wrong. Let your fear inspire you.
Can you take us through the evolution of Career Contessa? Where is started and where it is today?
Career Contessa actually started as the project for my master’s thesis. After college I’d found myself struggling in yet another job, I was shocked by that because I’d been so proactive throughout college. After all those hours in the Career Center, I still felt poorly equipped. Even after I went back for my masters, I couldn’t let go of that frustration —so I decided to use it.
We’re so lucky that there are so many different types of jobs and companies out there, but all those options can feel paralyzing. It’s no longer simple to answer “What do you want to do when you grow up?” you know?
Career Contessa was my alternative approach to answering that question. In 2013, I started the site—although it was more like a blog really at that point. Back then, we only had our Contessa profiles, which are these great interviews with successful, professional women. I’d hoped that by reading about the career paths of successful women, our audience would find inspiration and direction for their own careers.
Almost immediately, those profiles sparked endless dialogues and debates. Our readers sent us questions about informational interviews, networking, personal branding, etc. They needed so much more help than those profiles could provide. That’s when I started to realize that Career Contessa had the potential to be much more than a passion project or a weekly interview series.
In 2014, I left Hulu to focus on building Career Contessa into a full-fledged site.
I’ve always believed in trusting your audience—ultimately, they’ll make the right decisions for you. In 2015, we sent out a series of surveys, asking our readers what they wanted from us, what they loved about Career Contessa, what they hated. We realized they wanted two things: sophisticated advice and a direct connection to women like them who’d successfully advanced their careers. That’s what guided us to where we are now.
Everything from there went really quickly. We hired a Managing Editor to shape our content and shift it towards the kind of smart advice our readers wanted. Then we launched our first paid service, Hire An Expert, which lets readers work 1:1 with a trusted career “mentor” of sorts, without the commitment of pricy coaching packages.
As we evolve, we always try to stay close to our audience, and we know that a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work for them. Our goal is to continue the conversation as we go.
What parts of your professional history and personality did you leverage when starting Career Contessa?
All of it! I was a Recruiter at Hulu so I was very familiar with how the hiring process worked on both sides. I also leveraged many of my professional relationships to help me recruit career experts, launch a College Tour with corporate sponsors, and hire our first employees at Career Contessa.
My personality is also a big part of Career Contessa. I’m very ambitious, which helped me get out of a dead-end job and into my gig at Hulu. It also helped me leave there to start my own company. And although I’m an introvert, I love meeting new people and hearing their stories. This makes me a natural networker, which is really key to growing a company.
Was there a woman you looked up to that helped shape your career?
There have been many! From mentors to sponsors to colleagues, I’m constantly shaped by the hard-working women around me! The women that I’m particularly shaped by are women leaders. I’m trying to build a company and lead a team at the same time. Of course I want to be “good” at both so I look up to women that are successfully doing this like Alexa Von Tobel of LearnVest, Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook, and many of our own Contessas.
The culture of women in the workplace is shifting. It not every woman for herself, but rather, you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. Why do you think this shift toward empowerment is vital?
One of my favorites quotes is, “When women support each other, amazing things happen.” This is 110% true and I think women are catching on that supporting each other and rooting for another woman’s success won’t dampen your chances of succeeding. I also think this shift is vital because empowered women help empower others and they serve as role models for everyone coming after them.
"Rooting for another woman’s success won’t dampen your chances of succeeding."
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What does it mean to be a Career Contessa?
It means realizing that your job can and should be an integral part of your life. It’s part of what makes you feel fulfilled and, ultimately, happy and sane. A Career Contessa knows that thinking proactively about her professional growth is both necessary and empowering. She’s daring and she takes constant risks. She also makes mistakes—sometimes huge ones—but she knows how to evolve from them and she has a sense of humor about it. Honestly, she’s the sort of woman who’s way too smart for cheesy, traditional career advice or gross life coach retreats. but she’ll read all day about careers and professional growth when the information is clever and valuable. That’s who we’re trying to reach.
What about those WTF career moments? Where you think, I have no idea what I’m doing. How do you work through those?
Easy. I find other women to talk to. I’m not the first woman to launch and build a business and I wont be the last. Yes, we have Google to help but nothing replaces a great conversation with another women. The energy, momentum, and direction I get from a career conversation with another women is really vital to moving me out of me WTF freak out moment.
"The energy, momentum, and direction I get from a career conversation with another women is really vital to moving me out of me WTF freak out moment."
What’s next for you in 2016?
2016 is going to be a big year for growth for Career Contessa and me. At Career Contessa we are focused on building our brand awareness and Hire An Expert service. We’re also focused on more engagement opportunities like our monthly webinars, college tour, and other workshops. Navigating your career is tough— and pretty much never ending—but we’re doing our best to make it fun and personal.