Things College Didn't Teach You About Your Career

Our career paths seem so cut and dry when we're children.

When asked what we want to be when we grow up, our responses are simple: teacher, firefighter, doctor.
But as we grow up and head to college, we're exposed to all sorts of other career options in fields we never have had exposure to in a direct way. While we work to earn degrees in fields we're interested in pursuing, we're still left a bit unprepared for the corporate world upon graduation.

Here are 10 facts your college degree didn't prepare you for when graduating:

1. You're not limited to jobs in the field you got your degree in. 
If you have a degree in journalism, you might assume that means your only option is becoming a journalist. But armed with great communications skills, you could also qualify for jobs in PR, marketing, or business administration. It's all how you play your cards and where you get your experience.

2. Your degree isn't always that important to employers. 
Despite what you'd like to believe, many employers won't care where you went to school, or even what you earned your degree in. They'll focus instead on your skills: whether or not you seem trainable enough for the job you've applied for. They'll also look at experience. You'll have the hardest time in regards to experience just out of college, as you won't yet have much detail on your resume. Focus on getting internships and volunteer positions to round out the experience employers will be looking for.

3. Some employers won't even require you to have a degree. 
This can be an eye-opener to anyone who's spent four-plus years earning a degree, but again, employers look for experience and trainability. And while having a college degree does display your ability to be taught, it's not the only path to a professional career.

4. There are jobs you've never even heard of in your field. 
Like many college grads, you probably received a brochure listing all the amazing careers you could consider in your field. But there are often many more beyond that list. If you have a degree in English, you've likely already considered the obvious option of teaching or writing, but publishing, proofreading, speech-writing, or becoming a paralegal might not have crossed your mind.

5. Grades don't matter. 
It is highly unlikely an employer will ask for your transcript, at least not to check out your grades. That's not to dissuade current college students from trying their hardest, but the fact is: employers don't care about grades.

6. College is about networking. 
Make the most out of your alumni network and see what opportunities there are for you professionally. Speak to professors in your department about what they'd recommend for you career-wise.

7. Some degrees pay better than others. 
And liberal arts degrees aren't at the top of the list. Biomedical engineering, math, and science, however, are. Something to consider when planning the massive amounts of money you'll make ... with your philosophy degree.

8. College does not prepare you for a job. 
Nothing but job experience can do that. And, of course, you need job experience to get a job. It's a vicious cycle to which you've got to find your own solution.

9. Employers don't want to train you to do a job. 
That's why they're more likely to hire people not fresh out of college. Do yourself a favor and take on an internship or two during college so that you've already gone through the experience of being in a work environment and having some experiences to help guide you. This will make you more hireable after graduation.

10. It's okay to change your mind. 
Many graduates start working in their field of choice only to find out it wasn't what they expected when they were cracking the books on the subject. It's okay (see no. 1). You don't necessarily need to start over and get another degree; just open your mind to other career options your degree might make you eligible for in the future.

Related articles:
- Benefits of Using a Recruiter
- 4 Tips for Transitioning from College to Your First Job
- Embrace your Uncertainty and Take the Plunge
- 5 Ways To Grow Professionally While Helping Others

- What to Consider Before Accepting a Job Offer

- Embrace your Uncertainty and Take the Plunge

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Written by: Lindsay Olson

As published in: Business Insider, 13 September 2012
Originally published in US News.

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How to Stop Stress Before It Starts

Admit it. We live in a hectic world. Stress and pressure are waiting on every turns and every corners. So how can we dodge the bullet? Well, have some tips below.

In 2008, at the tail end of a business trip that took her from Kenya to India to Romania, Ellen Barnard realized she needed to make a change or stress would get the best of her. She'd been co-owner and executive producer of the Atlanta-based production company, Tomorrow Pictures, for 12 years and hadn't made much time for exercise or social commitments.

"I wasn't just tired. I wasn't just experiencing malaise. I was really stressed out," Barnard says. "I had an ah-ha moment where I thought, 'If I can get rid of some of this stress, I can be more productive." So, she signed up for a knitting class. To this day, she meets with the group every Monday night. "It was sort of life changing for me," she says.

Relax. We aren't telling you to take up knitting. Calming as its proponents say it is, knitting itself isn't what made the difference in Barnard's stress levels. It was the simple act of spending time with people in a social setting. Now, Barnard also meets weekly with a group of women entrepreneurs and walks with her neighbors three times a week.

Rather than wait until you feel overwhelmed by stress, try taking these steps to prevent it:

Make time for friends. 
Barnard's story clearly shows that creating time for friends and family can make you feel less stressed--and perhaps even live longer. A 2010 Brigham Young University study found that a lack of social relationships is comparable to smoking in its negative health effects. But in the presence of other people, the brain produces oxytocin, a hormone that can help lower blood pressure, says Kathleen Hall, founder and CEO of The Stress Institute, an Atlanta-based organization that trains companies in stress resilience.

Social relationships can even make the challenges you run up against seem more manageable. A 2012 study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that people who were alone estimated the steepness of a hill as sharper than people who were with friends. "Social connection will actually change your perceptions of the world around you," says Heidi Hanna, author of The Sharp Solution: A Brain-Based Approach for Optimal Performance (Wiley, 2013) and a fellow at the American Institute of Stress, a Fort Worth, Texas-based clearinghouse of stress-related information. "It's such a core survival need to be part of a tribe or a core community."

Get your nature fix. 
Being in a natural setting also may help prevent stress. That's why eco-therapy, based on the premise that connecting with sounds and images in nature triggers a calming part of the brain, has been gaining popularity, Hall says. A 2007 study at the University of Essex in England found that people who walked outside in a natural setting experienced more relaxing feelings than those who walked indoors. But if you can't escape the office for a stroll in the park, Hall recommends downloading a nature app to your mobile phone and spending a minimum of two minutes each day listening to anything from the sound of water to birds to rustling trees. If nature sounds aren't your thing, consider listening to calming music, looking at images of natural settings or lighting scented candles, Hanna says. "If you can't get to nature, bring nature to you."

Feed your brain. 
Your mother was right when she told you to eat your breakfast. "The first thing the brain needs in the morning is amino acids," Hall says. Going too long without eating triggers a stress response that involves foggy thinking, slower digestion and other negative effects, Hanna says. What to eat to avoid this? A good start would be foods loaded with vitamin B6, which helps produce more of the calming hormone serotonin. These include tuna, turkey and bananas. Hall also recommends blueberries, which contain antioxidants and vitamin C. While coffee is fine in moderation, don't overdo it and send your blood pressure rising.

Take a few minutes to reset. 
Preventing stress doesn't have to mean reconfiguring your daily schedule. Hanna recommends taking as little as three minutes between tasks to give your mind a break. "Those short little breaks give the system a chance to reset and decrease stress hormones in the brain," she says. When you're stressed, your body produces too much cortisol, interfering with your mental focus and productivity. It's also important to take a few minutes for a mental break before eating, which helps decrease the stress hormones that hinder digestion. This could be as simple as taking a few deep breaths or visiting with a friend in the office.

Move more. 
Exercise is critical in preventing stress. If you can't get to the gym for a full workout, take a break to do two minutes of stretches or to walk a few laps around your office building. This will produce endorphins, which help you manage stress, Hall says. Taking that break before meals is important. It not only helps your body process food, but it also can prevent you from gaining stress-related weight around your belly.

Good tips, right? 
Related articles:
- 14 Foods To Increase Productivity
- 14 Easy Ways to Get Insanely Motivated
- Study of the Day: Why Crowded Coffee Shops Fire Up Your Creativity

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Written by: Jane Porter
Jane Porter is a freelance journalist based in New York. Her stories have appeared in The Chronicle of Higher Education, BusinessWeek Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. She has a bachelor's degree in English from Brown University.

As published in: Entrepreneur - 29 January 2013

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How to Create a Company Culture That People Will Be Excited to Join

We all know that Google is most probably one of the coziest and coolest place to work. How do they make it so? Since some of our clients are also business startups, this article is a good reference to catch those talented people out there! 

Even the smartest business strategy can mean nothing without the talent to carry it out. That's why attracting skilled and motivated employees is so important for companies just starting out.

It takes a certain type of person to join a startup. The ideal candidates can demonstrate risk tolerance and flexibility, as their roles are bound to evolve with the changing needs of the business. Those that combine talent with the ability to roll up their sleeves to get the job done, even if it isn't technically theirs, are the ones you’ll want with you in the trenches.

These people are out there, but it can be a challenge to not only find them but also make the case for them to join your business instead of another one.

No two job candidates are alike, but a competitive salary and benefits will be deciding factors for most every prospective employee. However, several other factors can come into play. Entrepreneurs are typically in the enviable position to be able to create a company culture of their own making.

Here are some ways to create a culture that excites and entices prospective employees:

Make it flexible. 
Having a work-life balance is one of top priorities for any employee. Offering the freedom to work from home a certain number of days a month, or "summer Fridays," the perk of a shorter workday on Fridays in exchange for an extra hour each of the other days of the week, can help show that your company values its employees. Not only can this help attract employees, but it can also go a long way in developing loyalty.

Give back. 
More than ever, people are concerned with giving back to society, and having an employer that helps them do so is a plus. Let employees get involved by voting for a cause that the company will support and have them suggest different ways to help through on-site volunteering, fundraisers or other options. You may also want to consider creating a program where employees who are interested can take off one or two days per month to volunteer for a cause that’s more personal to them.

Be accessible. 
On a smaller staff, leaders can often interact with employees of all levels. For many prospective employees, that access can be a strong selling point. You can also consider creating a series of “lunches with leadership” on a regular basis where a small group of employees can meet with you, or one-on-one if your business is smaller, so you can listen to concerns and answer questions about where the business if going.

Provide growth plans. 
The best employees want to be at a company where they can advance their career, and from the start they need to be assured that there is room for that to happen. Develop a formal training program where they can learn the skills they need to move up, so they don’t move out to learn it.

Give them a piece of the pie. 
Smaller businesses may not be able to offer competitive matching 401(k) plans, so you may want to instead consider a profit-sharing program. It helps employees feel a literal sense of ownership of the company and gives them extra incentive to work as hard as possible to ensure its success.

Reward with awards. 
Many large companies have formal employee-recognition programs on a quarterly or even monthly basis, so give your workers that same respect. Whether it’s “Employee of the Month” or “Best Sales Record,” these awards are a way to boost employee morale -- and with a relatively small monetary prize -- their wallets, too.

Starting a business is not an easy endeavor, and there are many reasons why some fail and others succeed. But what is universal is that no company can succeed without a strong workforce, and one where employees really believe in the company’s mission and culture can make it even stronger. Creating an environment that values employees and allows them to learn and grow will attract the most talented employees -- and contribute significantly to your company’s success.

Hope it helps!

Related articles:
- 15 Ways to Keep Startup Employees Motivated
- Four Reasons to Allow Social Media at Work
- 8 Rules For Creating A Passionate Work Culture
- How to Create an Exceptional Workplace
- 8 Things Your Employees Need Most

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Written by: Entrepreneur

As published in: Entrepreneur - 18 February 2013

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Stop Using Social Networks! Eh, What?

When everyone is trying to connect and network digitally, I stumble upon this one article that brings back the essence of networking.

Relationships: They don’t make them like they used to.

Sign in to Facebook. Tweet, pin stuff and then spend a few minutes on Google+. Okay, time for a coffee, and then a LinkedIn update. Networks are formed, and relationships are established.

There’s no doubt that online social networks are an extremely valuable form of communication, as well as key to building and maintaining professional relationships. But for all of the power that social networks hold, they still can’t compete with the influence and intensity of personal connections.

As we head into the busy conference season -- Social Media Week is around the corner -- getting out there and pressing the flesh rather than wading around on the web should prove even more beneficial.

The reason? There is a certain intimacy involved in meeting people in person and shaking their hand. Speaking to someone face-to-face (and not through Skype) establishes a bond that is potentially even more potent and long-lasting than meeting someone virtually. And you never know whom you might meet -- from investors to co-founders to mentors -- the possibilities are endless.

For those in need of a refresher course on how to meet people and connect in person, these tips are for you:

Get out of the house/dorm/office
Beyond conferences, there are so many opportunities for in-person networking that it’s almost impossible to list them all. The first step is to literally go outside, away from your computer. And though the obvious industry meetups or panel discussions should be at the top of your list, consider more unlikely meeting grounds too. If you travel with any frequency, for instance, spend some time in an airline lounge.

Get involved with your community and maybe volunteer at a nonprofit organization. Make networking fun by attending parties and dinners with colleagues. You can also take advantage of online networks to help facilitate actual meetings.

But when you do meet people in person, be prepared. Have some business cards ready at all times. Have your elevator pitch geared up. Be genuine. Be personal. Be professional. And when you are engaged in a one-on-one with someone? Turn off your phone.

Really get to know people
Meeting people and getting to know them are two different tasks entirely. You’re not simply recognizing a blog post about their new project with a click. You have the chance to really communicate here, so take it.

Ask them personal questions and offer personal information about yourself. Remember, people like to do business with people that they know and trust.

This process shouldn’t be artificial, however. Genuinely care about those around you and you’ll emanate an aura of integrity and reliability. Put yourself out there to everyone you meet, not just those you identify as potential clients or associates. Even if they never personally become a customer or colleague, they know people. And those people know people.

So, which one do you prefer? Social contacts... or face-to-face contacts?

Related articles:
- The 7 Pillars of Connecting With Absolutely Anyone
- Personal Relationships Make or Break Careers
- Networking Tips: Go From Awkward to Awesome
- 5 Reasons You Need to Meet in Person

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Written by: Matthew Toren
Matthew Toren is a serial entrepreneur, mentor, investor and co-founder of YoungEntrepreneur.com. He is co-author, with his brother Adam, of Kidpreneurs and Small Business, BIG Vision: Lessons on How to Dominate Your Market from Self-Made Entrepreneurs Who Did it Right (Wiley). He's based in Vancouver, B.C.

As published in: Entrepreneur - 30 January 2013

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14 Foods To Increase Productivity

You've heard the saying for years now: you are what you eat.

But it's true. According to Psychology Today, complex brain processes are "literally fed by glucose that circulates from gut to brain."

"The human body is undeniably an energy system," says Florida State University psychologist Roy Baumeister. "Evolution gave us this new and more complicated way of acting, but it's expensive in terms of fuel burned. Being our better selves is biologically costly."

We've compiled a list of foods from Psychology Today and other sources that will improve the way you think and work.

1. Any kind of berry is golden: the potent combinations of antioxidants they contain can improve both memory and motor coordination. Neuroscientist James A. Joseph says that the antioxidants in berries counteract oxidative stress and function as anti-inflammatory agents, which are "the evil twins of brain aging." 
2. Berries eaten with oil-rich walnuts or avocados keep brain cell membranes "youthfully flexible."
3. Eggs contain a fat-like B vitamin called choline that enhances memory and reaction time.
4. Salmon has omega-3s, protein, iron and B-vitamins — which support memory, recall, reasoning and focus.
5. Eating eggplant will keep your brain "sharp by enhancing communication between our brain cells and messenger molecules."
6. Caffeine found in coffee improves memory and even "protects against eyelid spasm" (for those who are staring at computers all day). It's also rich with antioxidants and amino acids.
7. Dark chocolate contains antioxidant properties that "increase the production of endorphins while enhancing focus and concentration," whereas milk chocolate is good for quickening reaction time and improving verbal and visual memory.
8. Or, try green tea, which has neuroprotective effects (helps the nervous system).
9. Yogurt also does wonders — it has protein, tons of minerals, and probiotics which help the digestive system.
10. Dark leafy greens are probably the best thing you could eat — they are loaded with vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Iron, for example, helps bring more oxygen to the body (and brain), and improves cognitive control.
11. While we don't suggest drinking on the job, red wine significantly improves short-term memory and motor skills.
12. Whole grains like brown rice are filled with vitamins and magnesium, which also improves cognitive health.
13. The antioxidants in hot cocoa protect brain cells from oxidative stress.
14. Garlic contains strong antibacterial and antiviral compounds that help shake off stress-induced colds and infections.

BONUS: Eating this will slow down your productivity...

1. Sugary foods, like soda or candy, can make you feel spaced-out, weak, confused, or nervous once the glucose in your brain drops — this is also known as a sugar crash.
2. Heavy, calorie-ridden foods like hamburgers and fries will make you sleepy and slow you down at work.
3. Eating too little can make you process information more slowly, take longer to react and have more trouble remembering sequences.

Related articles:
- How to Stop Stress Before It Starts
- 14 Easy Ways to Get Insanely Motivated
- Study of the Day: Why Crowded Coffee Shops Fire Up Your Creativity

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Written by: Aimee Groth and Vivian Giang

As published in: Business Insider - 27 May 2012

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