Being new to the business world and not technically studying business, it's needless to say, I do not know much about this crazy intense world. In the last few weeks, I have become a lot more business oriented just by being around it. I've learned it's not okay to stare in bewilderment when you meet the president of a department. It's okay to just listen in meetings when you are new and have nothing of value to say. And it's imperative that you know the latest news (world, nation, local, politics, sports, lifestyle, and especially industry news). You will be tested. Whether in casual conversation, in meetings, or out on a business lunch/dinner.
However, there are many more things that I'll never understand. Having the awkward conversations with your boss or asking for an expensive item that you know you'll need to expedite your work are never fun. It will probably never get easier having all those weird encounters but I know that comes with every job. It's how you handle the situation that makes it easier to deal with. Take a few breaths and just go talk to them. What's the worst that can happen? They fire you? haha
I have been extremely blessed in that I love the work I do and I am so lucky to have found this company right after graduation. The learning experience has been exponential (already and we haven't even launched). I know some of you know the company I am working for and some of you may not. I wish I could broadcast it to the world but for the time being I have to keep it a secret. I trust the people who do know not to blab their mouths (please!) but encourage them to talk about what I do. This is going to be great. Stay tuned for a blog post about the launch of our company and I hope you will love it!
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Friday, June 15, 2012
Getting in a Routine
This was my first full week of work. My first week of work consisted of Thursday and Friday. My second week I was in Chicago for 3 days and only worked Monday and Friday in DC. And now I'm on my first full week and I am exhausted. How do you guys do it?
I've decided the only way to help me get use to this type of week is getting into a routine. Granted, this week was not the best example of that. One night I stayed up until 1AM, another night I went to sleep at 10PM, a few days I got up and worked out and other days I hit the snooze. (Side note: I have never used my snooze until now. If my alarm was set for 8AM in college, I was up at 8AM no matter how tired I was. This week, we became close friends.)
Number 1 is the hardest. I can always think of something else I need to fit into my day (or want to fit in) and the time gets pushed later and later. The second one isn't as hard because like I said, I've never been a big snooze button person so hopefully I won't get into the habit of using it. And if I do, I'll just set the alarm 9 minutes earlier than I really need to get up. ;)
I've decided the only way to help me get use to this type of week is getting into a routine. Granted, this week was not the best example of that. One night I stayed up until 1AM, another night I went to sleep at 10PM, a few days I got up and worked out and other days I hit the snooze. (Side note: I have never used my snooze until now. If my alarm was set for 8AM in college, I was up at 8AM no matter how tired I was. This week, we became close friends.)
So, my routine needs to consist of three things: 1. A bedtime 2. A set time to wake up 3. A time to run. I've been trying to run before work because it's a lot more relaxing to come home and do nothing than it is to know I have an hour workout ahead of me. I've noticed on the days I don't go for a run I'm hungrier and more tired. On the days I do run (or go to the gym), I have more energy and my diet is much better. The last one on my list (set a time to run) should be easy so long as the other two are in effect, which will definitely be the hardest.
Number 1 is the hardest. I can always think of something else I need to fit into my day (or want to fit in) and the time gets pushed later and later. The second one isn't as hard because like I said, I've never been a big snooze button person so hopefully I won't get into the habit of using it. And if I do, I'll just set the alarm 9 minutes earlier than I really need to get up. ;)
Since I am new to this whole grown up thing, I would love some tips on how you make it through your week. I'm not a busy mom. I don't have any family here so I don't have places I HAVE to be. The only thing that is set in my schedule is the time I spend at work (9-6). So, please, feel free to leave me a comment here or on my other social pages.
With love,
Kayla
Monday, June 4, 2012
First Week in a New Chapter
Last week I moved to Washington, D.C. to start my life as a professional woman. I had no idea what to expect all I knew is I was exited for something new and different. As my last post stated, my parents helped me move everything in and get me ready for this huge transition. They left on Wednesday morning. The first realization of being alone in this big city started that night. I kept thinking to myself, what have I done? How will I make friends? All I have is work here. No clubs or college activities to keep me meeting new people. After consulting with Brenden, I began to feel a little better. I'm outgoing and fun. I can meet people.
Thank goodness my first day of work was the next day to keep my mind off being alone. I had a great first day. Once all the paperwork was finished, I was immediately given my first assignment. A very large one at that. So for the 8 hours I'm at work it consumes my time. Thank goodness my professors made me do competitive analysis and PowerPoint presentations all through my four years. I feel confident I can knock this first assignment out of the park.
In the words of my boss, I am to be a sponge for the next few weeks. Friday was my first full day of work and wow was it full of information. I left that evening a little later than the office was open. But I know this will be my first of many nights I'll leave a little late.
The weekend came and went and was full of activity. So I was beginning to feel like I wouldn't be alone after all. I kept myself busy and realized the more things I do the easier it will be to get through this. I also realized why people get married right after college. It would definitely make this transition a lot easier. But part of my journey is to learn to be independent. And I will do just that.
Today, I worked a half day because I am flying out to Chicago in about 30 minutes. Chicago is a dream place for me to go (and one day live in). I will be there for a week soaking up information about this new position.
After 22 years of being taught about life and prepared to go into the real world, you never realize how hard it will be to make it. People warn you, but it's not nearly big enough. I am excited about this challenge and chapter in my life. It comes with a lot of changes but I know I will come out just right.
Kayla
Thank goodness my first day of work was the next day to keep my mind off being alone. I had a great first day. Once all the paperwork was finished, I was immediately given my first assignment. A very large one at that. So for the 8 hours I'm at work it consumes my time. Thank goodness my professors made me do competitive analysis and PowerPoint presentations all through my four years. I feel confident I can knock this first assignment out of the park.
In the words of my boss, I am to be a sponge for the next few weeks. Friday was my first full day of work and wow was it full of information. I left that evening a little later than the office was open. But I know this will be my first of many nights I'll leave a little late.
The weekend came and went and was full of activity. So I was beginning to feel like I wouldn't be alone after all. I kept myself busy and realized the more things I do the easier it will be to get through this. I also realized why people get married right after college. It would definitely make this transition a lot easier. But part of my journey is to learn to be independent. And I will do just that.
Today, I worked a half day because I am flying out to Chicago in about 30 minutes. Chicago is a dream place for me to go (and one day live in). I will be there for a week soaking up information about this new position.
After 22 years of being taught about life and prepared to go into the real world, you never realize how hard it will be to make it. People warn you, but it's not nearly big enough. I am excited about this challenge and chapter in my life. It comes with a lot of changes but I know I will come out just right.
Kayla
Monday, April 11, 2011
Career Choices
When you were a little kid people always asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" My sister being the cute little kid she was would say, "I want to be a teenager!" Since she has reached that career step, she now wants to be a teacher. (More power to her!) My Mom knew at the age of 16 she wanted to be an accountant (even though that meant skipping her birthday celebration every year). For me, the answer was never clear. I don't have a distinct time in my life that I remember saying any profession in particular.
Coming into college, my studies took me in the direction of nutrition which is something I'm very passionate about. After a few struggles in those brutal science classes, I was urged to pick something else that would suit me better. Personality tests revealed I needed to be in charge. Really? I could have told you that with a home video of myself when I was four years old! The counselor told me, "You're just like your mom, except you don't need to be stuck at a desk." Okay, so where does that put me? Active, manager, helping people, you got it. Hotel & Restaurant Management.
Going into this major, I was filled with joy. I finally found something that fits my personality. Working in the industry has made me realize this is the right place for me except for the long hours. I would consider myself a hard-worker but I also consider myself a big family and friends person. Working long/late hours makes me concerned I won't see them as much. I know there will always be a few crazy nights I'll be working while everyone else gets time off (holidays). I just hope I can find something that suits me.
Finishing the last few weeks of my junior year, I have no idea where I'm going to end up in a year. I have so many interest in life that I can't imagine having one job for the rest of my life. I would love to be a Tweeting, blogging, fitness guru, restaurant/bar manager, sommelier, traveling, and planning events. Surely I can find a job to fit that description, right? haha Is there such a thing as getting cold feet about career choices? It seems like everyone around me knows exactly what they want to do with their life. I know what I want out of life. I just can't seem to get it all to fit into one.
Until Next Time,
Kayla
Coming into college, my studies took me in the direction of nutrition which is something I'm very passionate about. After a few struggles in those brutal science classes, I was urged to pick something else that would suit me better. Personality tests revealed I needed to be in charge. Really? I could have told you that with a home video of myself when I was four years old! The counselor told me, "You're just like your mom, except you don't need to be stuck at a desk." Okay, so where does that put me? Active, manager, helping people, you got it. Hotel & Restaurant Management.
Going into this major, I was filled with joy. I finally found something that fits my personality. Working in the industry has made me realize this is the right place for me except for the long hours. I would consider myself a hard-worker but I also consider myself a big family and friends person. Working long/late hours makes me concerned I won't see them as much. I know there will always be a few crazy nights I'll be working while everyone else gets time off (holidays). I just hope I can find something that suits me.
Finishing the last few weeks of my junior year, I have no idea where I'm going to end up in a year. I have so many interest in life that I can't imagine having one job for the rest of my life. I would love to be a Tweeting, blogging, fitness guru, restaurant/bar manager, sommelier, traveling, and planning events. Surely I can find a job to fit that description, right? haha Is there such a thing as getting cold feet about career choices? It seems like everyone around me knows exactly what they want to do with their life. I know what I want out of life. I just can't seem to get it all to fit into one.
Until Next Time,
Kayla
Monday, March 7, 2011
Lifetime Achievements
Some quick thoughts to start the week off. Lifetime achievements. This weekend I had the opportunity to work at an event hosted at the hotel for Lifetime Achievement Awards presented by the Auburn Alumni Association. This event was unlike an event I have ever worked. The people who were honored at this ceremony had done things that you only see done in the movies. They had achieved things that only rare people achieve. It made me start to wonder how you get to such a place in your life. This people are respected by so many people and the things they have done (such as be an astronaut, work for NASA to make the ships safer, run 135 hospitals to help care for people's needs) just amaze me. I hope one day someone respects me as much as these men were respected on Saturday.
Coming out of that event I felt more inclined to make the things I do and say for everyone else and not for myself. I become self-centered a lot and don't realize how much one life can impact somebody else. I shouldn't be focused on myself and my well being. I have people in my life that will take care of me as long as I take care of them back. By not realize how much the words I say hurt people made me take a step back and think about the things I say and do. I want to be more giving and more respectful of everyone around me. Not just the people who are close to me. Friday was my first SOS session and it went fantastic. After this weekend, serving people has shot to the top of the list of priorities yet again. I can't say this is a bad thing because if you take care of people you are going to get more rewards than being selfish and inconsiderate of other people. Your life matters to people and sometimes you may not even know who those people are. I have people I look up to and they probably don't even know it and I know you do to. Take it to heart this week and think about being selfless. This is a very poorly written blog but I wanted to put some thoughts down before my busy week started just to get me on the right track. I hope this makes you realize how much of a blessing each life is to this world. You are special and your life could be making a difference in someone else's life and you may not even know it.
-Kayla
Coming out of that event I felt more inclined to make the things I do and say for everyone else and not for myself. I become self-centered a lot and don't realize how much one life can impact somebody else. I shouldn't be focused on myself and my well being. I have people in my life that will take care of me as long as I take care of them back. By not realize how much the words I say hurt people made me take a step back and think about the things I say and do. I want to be more giving and more respectful of everyone around me. Not just the people who are close to me. Friday was my first SOS session and it went fantastic. After this weekend, serving people has shot to the top of the list of priorities yet again. I can't say this is a bad thing because if you take care of people you are going to get more rewards than being selfish and inconsiderate of other people. Your life matters to people and sometimes you may not even know who those people are. I have people I look up to and they probably don't even know it and I know you do to. Take it to heart this week and think about being selfless. This is a very poorly written blog but I wanted to put some thoughts down before my busy week started just to get me on the right track. I hope this makes you realize how much of a blessing each life is to this world. You are special and your life could be making a difference in someone else's life and you may not even know it.
-Kayla
Monday, February 21, 2011
Interviews
Is it weird that I love interviews? Probably, because most people stress over them to the extend of perspiring through their suits. When I first came to Auburn interviewing was my weakest point. I couldn't get through an interview without making a complete fool of myself. Now, interviewing is like meeting new people. Talking about yourself and your interests, it's one of the easiest things people can talk about.
I have always had a job. Since before it was legal and as soon as I turned sixteen I got my first "real" job. I didn't interview much in my small town but once I came to college it seems that interviewing is a monthly activity. Interviewing for organizations, for work, and for friends. Interviewing became one of those things you just weren't going to be good at unless you practiced, practiced, practiced. I have interviewed so much in the past year that interviewing after college should hopefully be a little easier. I know those interviews are a lot more stressful because you have a full-time job at risk but hopefully with all this practice I'll be able to put my best self forward.
In the next couple of weeks, I will hopefully be interviewing for a leadership position at the hotel. It is an hour and a half interview of questions solely on leadership and what it entails. Phone interviews are great because as long as you are smiling as you talk you don't have the intimidation of someone writing down every answer you say right in front of you. Some of the best I advice I ever got for interviewing was to smile through your voice, be yourself, and don't be afraid to pause. It's better to pause than say "um" or "like".
Go ahead and prepare yourself for some always asked questions. Never fails, every interview I can remember doing has asked: 1. What are your strengths? 2. What are your weaknesses? 3. Tell us about yourself and 4. Do you have any questions? That last question is more important than you think. That in itself is asking "Are you really interested in this company?" With a quick answer of "no" that quickly sends your information to the trash can. Even if I think I know everything I could know about the position I am applying for I find something to ask. Reiterate what they have already asked you and make sure you have the right information about it or ask when you might expect to hear back from them. It's always nice to know that after 30 minutes of hearing your ramble on and on about yourself they have the same opportunity to tell you even more about themselves or the company/organization they are affiliated with.
This blog probably means nothing to anybody reading this but I had some free time and writing is a way of relaxation. I don't get much time to just write so thanks for letting me talk about absolutely nothing meaningful today.
Happy Interviewing!
Kayla
I have always had a job. Since before it was legal and as soon as I turned sixteen I got my first "real" job. I didn't interview much in my small town but once I came to college it seems that interviewing is a monthly activity. Interviewing for organizations, for work, and for friends. Interviewing became one of those things you just weren't going to be good at unless you practiced, practiced, practiced. I have interviewed so much in the past year that interviewing after college should hopefully be a little easier. I know those interviews are a lot more stressful because you have a full-time job at risk but hopefully with all this practice I'll be able to put my best self forward.
In the next couple of weeks, I will hopefully be interviewing for a leadership position at the hotel. It is an hour and a half interview of questions solely on leadership and what it entails. Phone interviews are great because as long as you are smiling as you talk you don't have the intimidation of someone writing down every answer you say right in front of you. Some of the best I advice I ever got for interviewing was to smile through your voice, be yourself, and don't be afraid to pause. It's better to pause than say "um" or "like".
Go ahead and prepare yourself for some always asked questions. Never fails, every interview I can remember doing has asked: 1. What are your strengths? 2. What are your weaknesses? 3. Tell us about yourself and 4. Do you have any questions? That last question is more important than you think. That in itself is asking "Are you really interested in this company?" With a quick answer of "no" that quickly sends your information to the trash can. Even if I think I know everything I could know about the position I am applying for I find something to ask. Reiterate what they have already asked you and make sure you have the right information about it or ask when you might expect to hear back from them. It's always nice to know that after 30 minutes of hearing your ramble on and on about yourself they have the same opportunity to tell you even more about themselves or the company/organization they are affiliated with.
This blog probably means nothing to anybody reading this but I had some free time and writing is a way of relaxation. I don't get much time to just write so thanks for letting me talk about absolutely nothing meaningful today.
Happy Interviewing!
Kayla
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