The Post College Professional

Today I continue to volunteer, in different ways. I am on the board of a local charity, and have co-chaired our annual fundraising gala for several years. It is a great experience, in large part because this allows me to use my professional experience I’ve earned over the years combined with my personal interests in service to a worthy cause. (And I also try to work a dog related charitable event once a year because I can’t get enough of puppies!)

Open offices can be an introvert’s nightmare and an extrovert’s dream. You have a desk with little to no partitions in the middle of the office surrounded by all of your coworkers. With 70% of companies in the U.S. using an open office space, there’s a good chance you’re experiencing one right now. So how do you handle this noisy and often chaotic office environment? Here are some tips to go from surviving to thriving in your new open office:

Have you had that moment yet? When the world stops around you and a single question surges through your mind, “what should I do with my life?”

When I graduated from college, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with my life, sound familiar? I knew I would likely be moving away from the city where I went to school, so I was hesitant to take a ‘career job’ knowing that I’d be leaving the area soon … so I took an office job to pay the rent, but it wasn’t what I necessarily thought I’d be doing long-term.

It can happen to any of us. You pick your major, you start working in your industry, and then you realize your job is not the right fit for you. It certainly happened to a second year student pursuing her MBA at the Darden School of Business. Learn when her moment of realization struck, how an MBA has clarified her future path, and why it’s never too late to make a change.

One of the most important benefits you'll enjoy after you earn an MBA or other graduate business degree is a higher salary. Researching your return on investment is an important step when considering your future education.

What will your 2018 bring? If your New Year’s resolution is to get a new job, make sure you have a new wardrobe to match. Follow these tips to dress to impress as you take on your new job and the new year:

As you approach 2018 and start the New Year with a new slate, here are four things to consider as you resolve to make changes to your life, your career, and your future.

You nailed your phone interview and your in-person interview. You are so close to getting that job offer. Now is the time for your potential employer to ask for your references. Don’t breathe a big sigh of relief just yet. Your references, and what they say about you, can make or break your potential job offer. So whom should you pick? Follow these tips to choose wisely:

Congratulations graduate, you did it! Now that you have your bachelor's degree in hand what's next? While you're still in "study mode" do you continue your education, or is now the right time to start your career? Not everyone is in the same situation, or has the same goals, so don't feel pressured by what your peers are doing.