Inspire Series: Having a goal puts you ahead of the game
by Carlotta Zorzi
If there is something that I have learnt so far during my academic and work experiences is that having a specific goal makes it much easier for you to succeed in whatever you’re trying to do – rather than being ‘open to anything’. Given that this is a rule that should not just work for myself I thought it was interesting creating a discussion around it to see what you think – particularly on the topic of getting a job. However, when I explain this point of view to my friends and acquaintances at times they struggle with one main point, which is to identify their passions in order to turn them into a job.
Why identifying your passion? I’ve seen too many people working for companies they do not like or respect, or who have jobs that are not up to their abilities and that leave them frustrated. Even Forbes said that 70% of the employees hate their jobs! However, I don’t think it’s only the employers’ responsibility to make you like a job, but it’s (often) also our duty to make sure we become selective and focused in order to ‘Find a Job We Love and We’ll Never Work a Day in Our Life’. And let’s be honest, who wants to get back home at night all stressed and frustrated? I can’t see anyone raising their hand! Is it the society that makes you think that you can only get to a certain level/job? Or is it you who prevent yourself from getting that dream job?
Perhaps the problem is back at the beginning: You may still be at the stage of ‘what do I want to do with my life’, which may discourage you from defining a specific goal. Well, I think there is a simple way to find out what your new and exciting goal could be. With the hope that you all have something you’re interested in, something that you love to do in your spare time, this picture may help you understand what I mean:
Copyright, Carlotta Zorzi
Clearly, this is an extremely simplified way to explain my reasoning into words to let you understand how I think. There are obviously many levels of jobs, as well as many external factors that can impact on the success of your ideas e.g. current market health or market request for specific goods or services. However, thanks to the Internet, no one stops you from creating your own online business which would allow you to work with clients that are far from your location. And why not starting your own blog/vlog on your favorite subject? Quality content is likely to raise followers and, who knows, maybe even a job offer from your dream company as a consequence of the passion and expertise you put into your blog. Furthermore, the examples given are strictly casual: no one stops you from going into gardening if you hold a nursing degree, no one stops you from going into films if you hold a religious studies degree. You may need to work on your skills, but if your goal is defined and your passion is real, that should not be an issue – but a pleasure. On the other hand, there are jobs that require a specific education e.g. law, engineering, and for those you may need to consider going back to the academic life for a while if your current skills don’t grant you access to such positions. But that’s another story.
Furthermore, some jobs will pay better than others. It’s always been like this and it will always be. But what is it a job that pays well but that stresses you out, leaves you unsatisfied or demotivated? As this graph gives a simple idea on how to identify your passion and so your goal, the main thing to me is being able to do something that I enjoy. I am personally working towards becoming part of a team that work around the release of movie trailers and related projects. I’ve always been passionate about films and cinema, so everything I’ve done so far has been with such goal on mind. It’s not going to be easy, especially because I am willing to relocate overseas, so there are visas and bureaucracy involved, but if there’s a will there’s a way and this is just the beginning.
It’s all about getting out there, spending and unreasonable amount of time on the internet learning about the industry you love, filling in applications, scanning documents, sending mails, keeping up with replies and learning something every day. It’s not an easy way, but from my humble point of view I am convinced that believing in your passions and making them your goal will take you to where you want to get. Because what’s better than making your hobby a job that can pay your bills?
Originally from Italy, Carlotta Zorzi graduated in 2013 from Edinburgh Napier University with a BA (Hons) in Communications, Advertising & Public Relations and spent a year at San Jose State University, California. Carlotta has been managing Scent Sciences Corporation’s marketing & PR since May 2011 and she is about to start her MSc in International Marketing & Brand Management at Lund University, Sweden. She speaks five languages and her dream is to work for movie trailers and film promotion.
Inspire Series: Being the Shaper of Change
Jas’ note: It’s a great honor to have my wife, Michelle Mollica, RN, MS, OCN, as my next guest in the Inspire Series. Michelle recently gave an address to nursing graduates of D’Youville College, which was called “inspirational” by a number of those in attendance. An edited version appears here.
Firstly, I want to say congratulations. You have made it. For some, this has been a long path. Many of you have come from different fields, changed educational paths along the way, or changed careers entirely. You have gone from a scared student, afraid to do a physical assessment on your own classmate, to a confident, mature, professional graduate nurse, ready to take on the world. You have made it through the long nights of studying for exams and skills testing, preparing for clinical rotations, and balancing your home and family lives. You have made sacrifices that have finally paid off. You are now graduate nurses from D’Youville College, and you should be extremely proud of yourselves.
As you go out into the world of nursing, remember that in all ways, you are now a representative of D’Youville College’s School of Nursing. In your clinical rotations, you have seen different types of nurses; there are some who made you question the reasons you went into nursing in the first place (we’ve all met them, and we know they are out there), and then there are the nurses who are extraordinary. They seem to light up a patient’s room with just a few words. They are a patient advocate in every sense of the word. These nurses go above and beyond the basic tasks every single day. You have the potential to do amazing things, and I have no doubt that you will.
I urge you to consider what you can do to improve the face of nursing in the future. You are entering this new phase of your lives at a time when the world of healthcare is changing…. changing in ways that will call upon each of you…each one of us…to think differently about nursing…how and what you can contribute, not only to caring about individual people, but what you can contribute to the good of your community.
You can become a shaper of change! You can be the one who changes the face of nursing! Embrace this incredible opportunity! And when opportunities knock, open the door, accept the challenge. You might surprise yourself!
I would like to share with you a few things that could be of use to you as you transition into your role as a nurse:
- Understand and always remember why you went into nursing. When times get tough, and believe me, they can, this is your “go to pill.” It will help ground you.
- You need to have passion. Do what you love to do……and take your heart to work. And on that note, when you lose your passion in whatever field of nursing you are in, consider a change. The amazing thing about nursing is that you can go anywhere and do anything as a nurse. This leads me to my next point…
- Embrace opportunities and challenges. They will make you stronger and wiser. And they open doors. I promise you.
- The next is one that I know you’ve heard, but it rings true especially in nursing: Always do the right thing, especially when no one is looking.
- Set goals. Know where you’re going and what you want to do. Life is never a straight line and that’s okay. But always have a vision of what and who you want to be.
- Always keep a sense of humor.
- Never stop learning. I hope that we as your faculty have shown you that you will never know everything about everything. You will become experts in your field, but the education never stops. You should always strive to learn more and continue to grow.
Thank you so much for allowing me to take a small part in your celebration.
Michelle Mollica, RN, MS, OCN is the coordinator of the RN to BSN Online Program at D’Youville College in Buffalo, N.Y. and an Assistant Professor in the college’s School of Nursing. She is also completing her PhD in Nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Inspire Series: 4 Tips to Stay Motivated and Inspired
Jas’ note: I’m beyond thrilled to have Heather Whaling as the first poster in this Inspire Series. She’s one of the hardest working pros around and she has plenty to share, as you’ll see.
When I launched my own company in 2009, I had no way of predicting where the journey would lead, but I stayed focused on a core purpose: I was 100% committed to building a PR firm that people would want to work for and companies want to work with. Three-plus years later, we’re well on our way. I’m fortunate to work with an amazingly talented team and clients that I truly believe in.
So, how do I keep from slipping into neutral and just letting life progress as-is? If you’ve reached a point in your career where you feel like you’re doing what you set out to do, congratulations. But, don’t stop. Don’t get comfortable with status quo.
When Jason asked me to write about what motivates and inspires me, I spent some time reflecting. Here are my four tips for staying motivated:
Define your all. What matters most to you? There’s a lot of debate right now about “having it all,” but what does that actually mean? In PR – a professional where we often feel like we’re always on the clock – how do you blend personal and professional goals to create the life you want? At work or at home, you need to set your priorities. (If you don’t set them for yourself, someone else will.) If you take time to define your “all,” then you’re equipped to proactively make decisions that will move you toward those lofty aspirations. Living life on your terms is motivating.
Act like an owner. In her book [Re]Frame: Little Inspirations for a Larger Purpose, Sarah Evans encourages readers to act like an owner. As she notes, “We are more likely to take better care about something when we ‘own’ it. Even if it’s merely changing how we view what it means to us. If you want to be happier at work, change how you think about work.” Even if you’re not technically the company owner, shift your mindset. As Sarah says, “own your work, or go find something worth owning. There is no option C.” When you feel personally invested something, you’re naturally more motivated to make it succeed.
Embrace the crazy. This has become the de facto motto in our office, as well as my own life. A career in PR, while fulfilling, can lead to some unavoidable chaos. Plus, personally, I’m embarking on a new adventure, as a small business owner and a mom-to-be, both of which are demanding, unpredictable situations. Instead of stressing about it, I’ve decided to simply embrace the crazy. As I’ve learned, the less you dwell on the impending “crazy,” the more you can enjoy wherever the road leads you.
Find your energy. During the next couple weeks, pay extra attention to those moments when you feel incredibly energized. What happened? Did you land a major media placement for a client? Create a piece of content that resonated with online communities? Land a new client? Mentor someone? Volunteer in your community? Whatever it is – and whenever/wherever it occurs – take note. After a couple of weeks, you’ll spot emerging patterns. Then, you can start to purposefully recreate similar situations. As you infuse activities into your week to generate this positive burst of energy, you should become an even more motivated self-starter.
Your turn: How do you stay motivated and inspired so you can apply your best self to whatever you’re doing at home or at work?
About Heather: As president of Geben Communication, Heather Whaling (aka @prTini) leads new business development, client relations and strategic planning for the firm. An avid Twitter user, Heather can trace 75% of Geben’s business back to relationships that began online. This ability to turn social networking into business outcomes has helped Geben evolve into a highly respected, sought-after, award-winning PR firm. Want to learn more? Connect with Heather: Blog • Twitter • Instagram
New blog feature- The Inspire Series
Earlier this year on the blog, I did a five-part series detailing how to help your career. It received some terrific feedback from many of you. Today, I’m beginning another series that I hope is a little longer than five parts.
It’s called the Inspire Series and we’ll feature folks that make an impact. These people could be students, new and experienced PR/social media pros, or just regular people. My goal is to show the positive and inspiring things that are going on in our world.
We see plenty of negativity and biting commentary. Of course, things aren’t always rosy. But that doesn’t mean I can’t help give you more of a glass half-full approach. Who inspires you? Think they should be featured in the series? Drop me a line at Jason[at]JRMComms[dot]com or use the contact form.
Getting Creative with HAPPO: A Chat Recap
On Thursday, May 2, public relations pros and job seekers gathered for the #HAPPO chat on Twitter. The topic this time around was “Creative Job Search Strategies.” The job market can be a tricky place to maneuver, so the more advice you have, the better off you could be.
Here are some great tips from pros that took part in the chat.
Jason Ginenthal’s point is a terrific one to keep in your job search/application quiver. Show an employer you “get” what they are doing.
This isn’t asking to “pick your brain.” What Abbie Fink is saying here is that it’s a good idea to get to know someone. You never know where it could lead.
Believe it or not, there are hiring managers that are NOT on social. Keep Alyssa’s tweet in mind when applying for a job.
Talk about being creative! I included this to show you that Richie was thinking outside the box. Sometimes that is what it takes when looking/applying for a job.
This point from Anne discusses LinkedIn invites/connections. Don’t just go for what LinkedIn gives you. Personalize your message and show you care enough to connect.
Do you have other creative job search strategies? Let us know in the comments and thanks to everyone for participating on May 2. As always, use the hashtag #HAPPO if you have a job or tip you want to share.
Getting Creative with Your Job Search
As we inch towards May, the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” can be heard. It’s a time of great joy and excitement. College is over and the real world is waiting for you. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean a job is waiting for you. Statistics show that very recent grads may be at a higher risk of unemployment. Look at the Class of 2011. By October of their graduation year, about 5 months post-commencement, 14 percent were jobless, according to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report.
Not exactly reassuring, right? Well, here is where I and a group of other great PR pros hope to help you out. On Thursday, May 2 from 9-10 p.m. EST, I am moderating the HAPPO Twitter chat on “Creative Job Search Strategies.” What is HAPPO? It was started by Arik Hanson and Valerie Simon to connect job seekers in the PR field to those that could help in some way. We hope that some of the ideas
that are tweeted can help you in your search. Before next week’s chat, here are a few ideas on getting creative with your search.
- Keep Your Eyes Open- You never know when a great opportunity may come upon you. Never just dismiss it; think about the pros and cons. I always do a personal SWOT analysis at every opportunity.
- Spread Your Wings- As much as you may not want to, considering a job in another city or state could be the perfect move. It offers the challenge of learning a new area and making a name for yourself. Plus, meeting new people always helps to challenge us. This may not sound “creative,” but some grads just think about staying near home.
- Be Strategic- Some say to “pepper” firms/agencies with you resume. This isn’t the best move. By focusing your search and your resume, you give yourself a better shot at impressing a recruiter. Don’t use the generic cover letter. Show passion in your writing and your approach.
- Don’t Doubt Yourself- This sounds easy, but it isn’t always the case. You are the one that knows your skills best; believe in yourself and know that even though you may not know it all, you can still be a success.
If you have more creative ideas for the job search, leave them in the comments and join us on May 2 on Twitter! You can find me @JasMollica.
How Jackie Robinson Inspired Me
It has been 66 years since the great Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball and made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Although I never saw Jackie play, he impacted me from the time I was very young. My parents bought me a children’s story, called “The Value of Courage: The Story of Jackie Robinson.” I read it over and over again. A poster of Robinson adorned my room as a teen, as a reminder of this courage.
I never experienced an ounce of what Jackie went through, yet I have always been drawn to the way he carried himself during turbulent times. He never fought back and let his actions, on and off the field, do the talking. I think about Jackie a lot when times are tough and even when they are great. Here are a few ways that he has inspired me.
- Tenacity- Despite great odds and constant scrutiny, Jackie never backed down. This is a great lesson, regardless of race, how we can stand up for what we believe. If you believe in your heart of hearts that you can do something, go with confidence and do it!
- Work Ethic- Jackie never settled. He continued to improve his game and push himself to be the best he could be.
- Pride- Jackie knew he couldn’t necessarily fight back against those who hurled racial slurs or threw an intentional fast ball at his head. He pressed forward and got stronger. The lesson here: No matter what the odds, YOU have the power to be in control.
- Courage- Jackie could have given up at any time. He didn’t… despite what seemed like insurmountable odds. Think about your toughest time… how did you handle it? While starting your own business may not seem at the level of courage of what Jackie did, it still takes a ton to step out on your own.
Jackie Robinson was much more than a baseball player. He was a symbol of hope, dedication and pride. It’s something we can still embrace and learn from today.
(photo courtesy of MLB)
