Since graduating on the 12th of May, I have been feverishly searching for job openings and updating every social media outlet I own in order to keep myself relevant and in the spotlight of my networks.  All the while, people have been congratulating me and asking me, "What are your plans for the summer?"  Most of the time I reply with a smile, a thank you, and a swift "looking for a real job".  This question is growing tired on me but the reply is easy and I appreciate the well wishes.  However, since the job market is slow and I am still holding out for my dream job before settling for something less related, I have been thinking of ways to get creative and boost my personal selling points.  I have considered getting a waitressing job to ease my itch for something productive to do, thought about re-designing my resume and portfolio pages (which I will probably still do at some point in the next few months), and have even been networking with friends and passing out my new business cards to everyone who may know someone in the biz.

Seemingly un-relatedly, as fate would have it, the other day I reconnected with an old friend.  We got to catching up and he told me about a business he owns in Arizona, proofing houses for rattlesnakes.  I thought it was really strange but I guess it makes more sense in those areas... Anyway, we continued talking and one thing lead to another and now I actually have started doing some freelance copywriting and brand management for his business!  More updates to come, but I do believe that this is the the first freelance assignment I have ever gotten as a professional in the real world.

Forget summer vacation... I'm starting the rest of my life!

Start out as a freelance copywriter? CHECK!

Hello! Things have been busy since graduating, but I have a been crossing things off my "To-done" list like crazy!  While there is not enough time in the world to write a post for each of these things, I'd like to highlight the biggest one so far... 

This past weekend, I drove 477 miles with my father to Ohio University from my hometown to watch my best friend graduate with a degree in Athletic Training! I felt like one proud momma as she walked across the stage and I bawled like a baby through the whole thing.  I am so proud of her, but it was also my first experience with a larger university like that at an official ceremony.  In short, the ceremony was HUGE and overwhelmingly long as they read every name off.  However, the differences between OU and Bradley were very apparent.  First, there were two ceremonies in that day, divided by the colleges.  Next, there were so many students in each, that they had to be seated in some parts of the arena above the floor. And the final biggest difference was that after having their name called, they walked right out of the arena and left.  (p.s. their speaker was Nancy Cartwright voice of Bart Simpson!) 

It was different, but worth it just to hear her name called in person.  Congrats Michelle!!! 

Attend a larger university's graduation? CHECK!