Incubator

This past spring, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Wagner College’s Business Program.  This innovative program offers an exciting class under Professor Frank DeSimone, which gives students the opportunity to work with businesses to develop marketing and advertising goals.  As part of the course, students work to develop these goals into actual products.  At the end of the semester, the company has received a product or several products that they can implement immediately and students receive opportunities to build their skills, create a portfolio of work, and network.  

The Graduate’s Guide to Networking was chosen to be a part of this incubator project.  The students I worked with, Symphonie, Kayla, Samantha, Kathrine and Lauren, designed a new logo, prepared advertising copy and revamped our social media.

I was expecting great things from these Wagner students.

I was blown away by their creativity, technical skills, and problem solving.  The commitment and dedication that was shown by the students I was lucky to work with was truly admirable.  Ultimately for these students, this was a class project, however, I never felt that I was working with anyone less than a professional.

Thank you so much Symphonie, Kayla, Samantha, Kathrine and Lauren.  With your work ethic, positivity and creativity, I know you will accomplish all that you pursue.

Congratulations, What's Next?

Congratulations New Graduates!

Whether you have graduated from high school, college, graduate school or professional school, you deserve to take time to appreciate and celebrate your accomplishments.

Maybe you will have a small intimate dinner party to celebrate.  Maybe you have the party of the century planned to celebrate FINALLY getting your degree.

Whatever your celebration plans, be prepared for the party.

“Congratulations!” Your neighbor will greet you.  “What are you going to do now?” He’ll ask.

And your stomach drops.  The balloons deflate.  The room grows silent.

What are you going to do now?

Maybe you have a fantastic job lined up with a Fortune 500 company that offered to pay off your student loans as a sign on bonus.  

Right.

Most likely, you are like the majority of the Class of 2012 and you aren’t quite sure what your next step will be.  You are casting a wide net in your job search, but continue to come up empty.

Breathe easier.  You have a tremendous networking opportunity before you--your own graduation party.

Mingle, talk to the people who support and love you.  

Dream, let people know what you’d like to accomplish.

And most of all, celebrate your accomplishments today.  You’ve earned it.