By: Lauren Brose

This past summer, it really dawned on me just how old I am getting. Deterministically not pursuing a Master’s, the next chapter for me is my career. I call this “Adulting.” As far as I can tell, adulting is the bane of my existence and the cause of death to this huge part of my soul: my social butterfly. I think to myself more often than not why I never took naps when I had the time. Now, naps are a luxury reserved for the weekends and the “occasional” I-have-so-much-to-do-I’m-gonna-nap-instead moments.

By: Emily Young MA ‘16

Ta-Dah! You’ve made it to the third week of classes. You are finally getting settled in and bam—a group project with students you have never met before. Thus, this week’s focus is leadership.

By: Emily Young MA ‘16

Have you ever heard of Big Data? Big Data explains that with the world’s use of technology constantly growing, the mass amount of data we produce can be organized and analyzed for key insights. Yesterday at Explore @ 4, there was a panel of five data scientists working for various companies, Dun & Bradstreet, Verizon, Netflix, KIPP, and OpenX, who use data to solve business problems.

By: Emily Young MA ‘16

I was sitting in the computer lab with nothing pressing until 6:30pm. Yes, I could have done all of my prepared reading for weeks ahead, but we’re at USC—surely something had to be happening on campus. I scanned events online and looked at the clock—3:45; I could make it to Explore@4.

By: Emily Young MA ‘16

I created Work On It Wednesday around the idea of taking time each week to invest in long-term career planning and building a personal image. During summer I found that it was easy to put my long-term career planning on the back burner when I didn’t have a set routine. Therefore, each Wednesday when I’ve posted tips, tricks, and advice to help improve your online image and achieve your career goals, I’ve been following them too.

By: Emily Young MA ‘16

If there is one thing you should work on before starting college, it’s your Facebook, not your resume or your baking skills. Yes Facebook.

By: Emily Young MA ‘16

I am a huge believer in the power of two very important words: “thank you”—you can’t say them enough. In building your career path, it is important to be gracious about all the opportunities you receive and acknowledge them. Mentors, job interviewers, informational interviewees, professors, friends, family etc., they all deserve thank-you letters.

By: Emily Young MA ‘16

An elevator pitch is a speech designed to capture someone’s attention and answer the universal question “tell me about yourself.” In about 30-45 seconds, the length of an elevator ride, you should get across who you are and what you aspire to become.

By: Emily Young MA ‘16

Networking and building your personal brand image isn’t top of mind when you think of social media platforms like Twitter. If you have never utilized Twitter to build your personal brand you probably have perceptions of Twitter like this:

By: Emily Young MA ‘16

Summer is a great time to invest in your career goals and personal image. During the school year, it is easy to get caught up in classwork and extra curricular activities and put your long-term career planning on the back burner. Therefore, each Wednesday I will post tips, tricks and advice from across the Internet to help you improve your online image and achieve your career goals. First step, LinkedIn!

By Emily Young MA ‘16

You’ve landed a summer internship, have a lay of the land, and figured out your commute; now what? Check out these tips to make the most of your summer internship.

By: Lauren Brose ‘15

My current class standing is a bit odd. It’s a gift and a curse because I have to spend an extra semester at USC while my classmates are entering their full time jobs as graduates this spring. In a way, it is also a gift because I now have an extra summer to take advantage of the internship programs offered by potential future employers.