Recently posted by Megan Johnson

Congratulations to all of the 2009 graduates! I'm so excited for everything that's coming your way. Though it was over 2 years ago that I put on my cap and gown, I remember it like yesterday. I was so optimistic about life as a young professional, and everything that comes with it. Well, it turns out, I didn't quite have a clue what was coming to me. The 2 years since graduation have been a firestorm of ups, downs, and all arounds. There are lots of things I wish I knew when I crossed that stage to grab my diploma that I had to learn the hard way.  So in typical Simmons College style, I have compiled an organized list of the 10 things I wish I knew when I graduated:

1.      Chances are, at some point you will hate your first job. Due to your low level in the workplace, you will sometimes be forced to do completely boring tasks like un-jamming the fax machine. Unfortunately, you have to do these things if you ever want to work your way up in the professional world. At least it will be a funny story when you become CEO.

 

2.      Do not argue with your boss. While it is absolutely fine to ask questions, be aware that you will not win a fight with the person who cuts you a paycheck. They will always come out on top, and you may come out unemployed.

 

3.      You money will disappear even faster than it did in college. While it is important to build credit, do not destroy it by camping out in the handbag department at Barney's after work every day.

 

4.   There is absolutely nothing wrong with being in your mid-twenties and still incredibly emotionally reliant on your parents. They have been through this struggle, and their support can mean the world in times of need. 

 

5.   As an undergrad, showing up to class after pulling all nighters is fine. However, showing up to work looking like a disheveled street person is not. Run a comb through that hair. Professionalism is considered to be a big deal, even if you don't think so. 

 

6.   It is definitely possible that you will be laid off/fired/quit your job unexpectedly. It will feel like the end of the world, and you will consider jumping off the Zakim Bridge. Don't. In a short time you will realize that everything happens for a reason, and blessings are often disguised.  

 

7.  Gossip can be dangerous in the workplace. Don't talk about your coworkers, because chances are there are eager little ears listening a few cubicles over who would love to get ahead.

 

8.   Do not, under any circumstance, cry in front of your boss. If you do, you will be forever labeled as "the girl who cries." Your superiors will feel awkward correcting you, in fear that you might break out in tears. Stifle your feelings for a few seconds, and ask to be excused. Bathroom stalls are the perfect venue to let out your anxieties. 

 

9.  Don't spend your work day cruising the internet. While it may be more exciting than that Excel spreadsheet, there's really no excuse when your computer freezes on a Craigslist ad that reads "Run away with the Big Apple Circus."  Trust me on that one.

10. There is no price that can be put on the confidence you earn after overcoming these personal and professional struggles. No matter how tumultuous your early post-grad years may be, it is always worth the journey.

Nice to see you again, Simmons! It's been quite an interesting month since my last blog posting. You may notice a couple of my posts have disappeared. Unfortunately, there was a request to take a post down by someone I knew very closely. So here I am back at square one, with only a few posts left. So why don't I start over with an overwhelmingly positive piece?

My work as a freelance writer is something I absolutely enjoy and pursue every day. However, I always resisted creating my own website, despite the repeated requests of my friends. However, after reading about how some of my favorite twenty-something writers such as Julia Allison and Emily Gould use their websites to display their work, I realized I too had to join the club! Now I have my own site where all of my articles are displayed in one place, instead of scattered around the web on their select sites. Due to the neighborhood I live in, I decided to call my website "Down and Out in Beacon Hill." I took the name from the fabulous movie "Down and Out in Beverly Hills," which is actually based on the French play "Boude Sauve Des Eaux." The movie tells the story of an extremely wealthy yet dysfunctional family that takes in a homeless man after he tries to drown himself in their pool. Their entire world is shaken up by the influence of this man, and ultimately they are able to see an entire world outside of Beverly Hills. (Also, one thing I always noticed was how the father chugs Pepto Bismol from the bottle in his car due to a nervous stomach, a habit I always thought only my own father and I shared!)

So if you're ever sitting around on your lunch break looking for a few good laughs, please feel free to click on over to Down and Out in Beacon Hill!

 

In times of need, we must turn to the oracle of knowledge, otherwise known as teenage sensation Cher Horowitz in Clueless. During a moment of enlightenment, Cher tells us "It's like that book I read in the 9th grade, that said 'tis a far, far better thing doing stuff for other people.' " Well Cher may be a little off on the quotation, but her motivations are completely intact. That's why we're taking a moment to dedicate a post to a program that's taken months to pull together. Also, I think it's interesting to demonstrate a little bit of what recent Simmons grads like myself are doing with their days. So here goes...

A frequent subject in the newspapers, this year, a whole new demographic has been visiting food banks. Forget the stereotype of homeless people, and realize that people using food banks are employable family members who have simply fallen on hard times. While the food banks shelves' are close to bare, the 9th Annual Spirit of Giving Food Drives gives us a chance to help out our friends and neighbors. Simply visit any Shaw's or StarMarket through December 20th, and purchase a $5, $10, or $15 bag from the store's display. Your donation will go straight to a food bank in need. We had two amazing kick-off events this week in Mansfield and Manchester with our celebrity spokesman, Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. I was dead set on getting a Celtic to be our sponsor this year, and it took myself and my boss over 6 weeks to get it settled. But finally, we agreed and Rajon did an amazing job! While I may be a little fried from pulling a 60 hour week and getting up at 4 in the morning (At Simmons that was when i would go to bed after a night of writing English papers!) I have to say rolling in a limo with one of the star Celtics is pretty fun.

One of the most fun and satisfying moments of our kick-off event was watching Rajon film a television public service announcement I co-wrote. Working as a freelance writer isn't exactly the easiest job in the world, but it's definitely very fulfilling. Check out the video below!

Rajon Rondo for Shaw's Spirit of Giving

With a program like the Spirit of Giving, it's easy to see how just a little money can make such a big difference. $5 provides a family with a nutritious and delicious meal from a variety of food sponsors we worked very hard to attain. So for all you Simmons folks, head across the street and stop into Shaw's. Just $5 can make an amazing difference for a local family in need.

Food Drive New England

Simmons College has always been an institution focused on change. When many other women's colleges seemed like finishing schools that strictly prepared women for marriage, Simmons was dead-set on producing graduates who were fully equipped to join the work force. Decades later, Simmons is evolving during this technological revolution, when computers and PDAs have become as vital as the telephone. That's why it's so important that Simmons students, faculty, and graduates stay connected through blogging. While I admit I was once one of the detractors who thought blogs were simply online diaries, I now realize how important a role they play in today's world. Consider the hundreds of bloggers who descended upon the Democratic and Republican conventions this year. Faster than newspapers or television, people sitting at home or at work on their computer are able to get up-to-the-minute information. While those other forms of media are still essential in today's world, the internet is bringing the world closer through a web of technology that's faster than lightning. And since Simmons has always encouraged the importance of social change, it's completely appropriate for the college to embrace changes in technology as well. With members of the Simmons family spread across the globe participating in amazing activities ranging from teaching in remote villages to producing movies, it's important we stay connected to the institution that taught us the skills we utilize every day. I jumped at the chance to blog for Simmons, and not just because I write as a career. My college experience was truly life changing, and I share the details with others every opportunity I find. Throughout the upcoming months, I'm going to discuss a variety of topics that resonate deeply with me. A few examples are the struggle to succeed academically in a challenging environment, the presence of stress and anxiety on college women, and the transition from college to post-graduate life. I'm looking forward to sharing my Simmons experience with our fabulous community. While I've emphasized the importance of transition throughout this post, I can guarantee my passion for Simmons College is one quality that will never change.