We were having a discussion about professionalism the other day. Being the grammar-obsessed writer I am, we critiqued a recent email. The high-up businesswoman wrote her email in all lowercase letters. Now while this may not seem like a big deal, it definitely is not professional.

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-Amanda Fornecker

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For the most frequent updates and most helpful information, visit us at the CollegeSurfing Insider. You'll find the same great information as you did on our MySpace blog and more!! So get readin'!

-Career Ed

The writer's strike has really put a damper on television as of late. Luckily for me, I have a ton of DVDs to keep me busy in between work projects and until my shows return.

One of my all-time favorite shows is Friends. As I watched season nine last week, I came across an interesting episode. Chandler had been unemployed for a while and finally needed to get moving on some sort of job. He had been unhappy in his previous career (for which most of his friends did not even know what his actual job was). Finally, he secured a job at a marketing firm… as an intern. **Cue dramatic music... Of course, Chandler goes through some funny bouts, especially when on his first day an intern offers to get him coffee and calls him "sir". He replies to this saying that he's an intern too and that there's no need for the formalities. The intern looks at him, laughs at him, and accuses him of being too old for an internship.

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-Amanda Fornecker

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My throat is sore today. I can't decide if it's the onset of a fresh cold or the result of me screaming at the television last night as the NY Giants took home the big Superbowl win! In any case, there was a lot I took out of Superbowl XVII, besides the fact that I need to go to the gym today to work off yummy chicken wings and other chip and dip goodness. Let me share…

- John Johnson has been the athletic trainer of the Giants since 1948 and he had decided that this would be his last season as the trainer. Talk about going out with a bang! He must have seen something that he enjoyed with this job - he's been doing it for 60 years! How cool is that?!

- OK, I gotta say that even though I was totally into the game last night, I really enjoyed the commercials, as usual. Yet, I feel like some of them didn't have anything to do with the product. I would never have guessed that Naomi Campbell doing the "Thriller" dance with lizards was for Life Water. In fact, all I could remember was the music and the dancing lizards. I had to actually look up who they were advertising for. Marketing strategies are just so important, especially during the Superbowl. It costs like two million bucks to get a 30 second spot. Makes sense, considering so many people watch it.

- Do they really go to Disneyland once they win the Superbowl? I can imagine during the off-season they'll certainly have more time. It's here when they can rest up from their active lives and take a break. Actually, that's kind of cool. How many of us can say that we can enjoy ourselves during the off-season? In fact, how many of us even have an off-season?

My point is this: really go for what you want to achieve. The Patriots were undefeated - 18-0 for the entire season. And here come the Cinderella story Giants. They had already been beaten by the Patriots this year, yet still went at the game full force. Have faith, believe, don't underestimate, and always try your hardest.

We can't all be star quarterbacks like Eli Manning or waiting in the wings like his brother Peyton (who was ironically on the winning Colts last year). But we can enjoy ourselves. So do what you want for yourself this year and seriously go for the gold. Start a new career! In the meantime, I need to go work out, take some meds, and watch some replays of the Manning brothers…

-Amanda Fornecker

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Two new articles up on CollegeSurfing!! And they're all about getting jobs.

The first is a little insight into job boards and making proper use out of your school's career services department: From Job Boards and Career Services to a Career

Not sure what to do to secure that all-important first job? No problem! Lucky for you, you're not the first one to be in this position. Before you totally freak out, see what these successful individuals suggest. And don't forget, they've already walked quite a few miles in your shoes: The Top Five Tips for Job Seekers

As always, don't forget to leave comments and questions for ED :)

-Amanda Fornecker

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Tax season is upon us. I sat there, sullen, as I learned the bad news this past weekend - I was going to have to pay. No refund for me this year. Ugh! The reality of the real world and the freelance I scored during 2007 seems to be getting the best of me. But, to think, it would be a lot easier to understand this stuff if I had an accounting or business background. W-4? W-2? 1099? What does this all mean? It's like a foreign language (and I actually speak Spanish!!). If only I had taken the business route - I'd understand money better and maybe make some more of it. But maybe then I'd also be paying more? I don't know!

That's why having an education in accounting would be a great position to be in right now. I wouldn't have to question all this mumbo jumbo. Don't get me wrong, I used to be great with numbers - I had such a great average in AP Calculus back in the day - and I really enjoyed math! But that seems to have fallen by the wayside in recent years. Must be my journalism background. Hehe.

In any case, there are lots of ways to learn about a business or accounting career. Check out some of these great articles and be on your way to starting a great career with numbers so when tax season comes around (and it inevitably does each year), you'll be able to make some sense out of this nonsense!
Accounting: Beyond the Numbers
Career Confidential: Accounting, Auditing, and Bookkeeping

-Amanda Fornecker

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I don't believe in resolutions. They're always so cliché. And how many people can actually say that they keep up with them all year long? Better yet, all month long? So instead of vowing to go to the gym more often or to eat fewer carbs, why not set out on a path that will almost force you to continue?! Enter your education.

Why not make 2008 the year to start over? It can be a time when you get your life together and really go for what you want to do, instead of being stuck in your dead-end job. Though it may seem scary to embark upon a new challenge (hey, I oftentimes reject change), it may be the best thing for you in the long run.

Really think about this. If you enroll in a program that will teach you a new skill you'll need to stick with it and see it through. Having a set schedule of classes each week can help you really accomplish your goals and get you going. This is especially true when you've already paid for something. Why would you waste precious time and money and not attend class? You might as well continue going.

There's lots to consider, but don't let that overwhelm you. Follow this simple plan to start off the year right:

1. Think about what you like to do. Do you work with your hands or express yourself creatively? What are some of your hobbies? You can really turn a passion into a career if you just relax and think about what you enjoy. Your job CAN be enjoyable!
2. Search for programs in your area that offer programs in the skill you'd like to enhance. Whether you're looking to earn a degree or a certificate, different schools offer different programs. See which one can help you. By requesting free information from a school, you'll be able to speak to a representative that can help walk you through the process. (Note: many schools offer morning, day, evening, night, and weekend classes so scheduling is certainly flexible.)
3. Apply to schools that suit your needs. Many career and technical schools have open-admissions policies, which means that all you need to do is get through the application process because you've already decided you're serious about attending. Most application processes are a great way to get more information, help, and support from an institution. You'll discuss programs and financial aid possibilities.
4. Take advantage of the school's resources. Once you enroll, really delve into your academics. It is by getting into the heart of it all that you'll be able to get the most out of your education and achieve personal and professional success.

This year, resolve not to make a hasty resolution and instead invest in an education. It'll make 2009 all the better! Happy New Year! :)

-Amanda Fornecker

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I just did a coffee run. I was crashing. It’s Friday, what can I say? When we got there the girl behind the cash register was fighting with another worker about someone who hadn’t cleaned something. Then the guy that was making the drinks started freaking out on another employee and screaming about how much he hated his job.

Now, while I realize it may not have been his childhood dream to make coffee for other people, there’s no reason to yell at anyone, especially in front of customers. Perhaps he was holding the job to pay for his expenses from school or something. Whatever the reason, he really did not need to get so upset. Everyone stopped what they were doing and just stared at him.

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-Amanda Fornecker

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I wasn’t sure where I’d end up. I was so nervous that the end of the semester was quickly approaching. And the looming question of what I planned to do with my life after college hit me from all directions as if I had been whacked in the face with a baseball bat. I was scared. But I had to get things done and move forward.

That’s basically how I felt before I was hired for my full-time position as a writer (and I can’t believe it’s been a year since I felt that way!).

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-Amanda Fornecker

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I have a friend who's not too sure what she wants to do with her life. She graduated from a top-notch school with a liberal arts degree and really doesn't know what she'd be good at doing. My suggestion: attend a certificate program.

I think certificate programs are so cool. They're a great way to hone your skills or learn specific things in a short period of time. Whether you're a recent grad, a longtime grad, or a career switcher looking for something more, certificate programs can be the extra boost you need to get that job you've been eyeing.

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-Amanda Fornecker

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