5 Signs You Should Walk Away

We have all had times when we had a strange feeling about something. Some call it intuition, while others feel it’s God. Whatever it is called, we receive a mental or physical sign that we need to “walk away” from a situation, which may cause us more harm in the long run. If you’ve given your all to a relationship and your boyfriend has been a perpetual cheater, it’s time to walk away. If you have a friend that causes drama, always wants to borrow money and is not genuinely supportive of you, you need to walk away. If you are in a store and a salesperson is trying to get you to pay a higher price for something, it’s time to walk away.

Here are 5 Signs You Should Walk Away:

  1. Physical Pain: Sometimes when we’re in the company of someone who is trying manipulate, we may have pains in our neck, back or head, caused by stress.
  2. Dishonesty: If you feel you cannot trust someone as a friend or business person, it’s not necessary to continue the relationship.
  3. Not Being Heard: You’ve talked to a salesperson and told them you want shoes for $25. They work on commission and bring you shoes that costs $50. If you’ve clearly explained what you want several times and they still don’t listen, they really don’t care about what you want.
  4. Negative Talk: People will often try to demean or make you feel guilty to get their way. Sometimes friends or family will challenge if you love or care about when they want you to do something. For example, you’re supposed to be my friend, why can’t you loan me $20?
  5. Controlling Behavior: You may like a boy that tells you he will take care of you and do everything for you. It sounded cute and romantic in the beginning, now he’s telling you what to wear, calling you every five minutes and keeping you away from your friends.  
There is no shame in walking away from people who are toxic and only care about their own needs. In other words, don’t minimize your views or “make yourself small,” to suit someone’s needs or demands. If you are compromising yourself in a personal and business relationship, walk with your head tall and walk away.

Start Now with College Letters of Recommendation (LORs)

If you just finished your junior year of high school, the summer is great time to start on college applications. During the summer, you can research colleges online, visit campuses, start writing your statement of purpose (why you should be accepted), take SAT courses, send school transcripts and Letters of Recommendation (LORs). Getschooled.com describes LORs and discusses the best people to ask for them. If possible, ask during the summer. This gives teacher or professional time to write a recommendation, before they receive numerous requests during the school year.

As soon as senior year begins, get an early start on applying to college. There’s so much to plan for during that year: Prom, school activities, sports events and having time with friends. If possible, apply for early admission. Applying for early admission or by September or October will give the best chance of getting into the school you want.

Preparing for college will only take a few hours. You can still have fun this summer and be ahead of the game. You may even receive an acceptance letter from your dream school by the end of the year.

Jen:)

Great Customer Service Goes a Long Way!

I go into food places and retail stores and I get so annoyed by the service I receive. The sales person does not say, “Hello” or “How may I help you?” I have walked out of stores if they take too long to greet me or have major attitude. I refuse to spend my money at a place if people are rude. Recently, I went to a place and the person at the window could not put her cheesy fries down long enough to sell me tickets. Really? I don’t even want to go there with the workers who have long conversations, while customers wait to pay or order food.

I know many of you will work summer jobs in offices, retail stores and food companies. Please treat customers or clients the same as you’d like to be treated when you’re buying food or clothing. I’ve had retail gigs at Bloomingdale’s, Tiffany & Co., Burlington Coat Factory and my first job was at a fast food place; I’m speaking from the experience of working on the other side. If you present a positive attitude, the company may invite you back for another summer or as a part-time worker during the school year.

Here are tips for giving customers a great customer service experience:

  1. Smile when greeting customers. Act as if you are thankful for jobs (in this economy, some people don’t have them).
  2. Say “Please” and “Thank You,” when speaking to customer. Ask if they need any help in the store.
  3. Don’t talk about your personal business or complain in front of a customer. No one wants to hear about your relationship drama or how much you hate your boss.
  4. Know your product. If a customer asks about a dress size or what’s in certain foods, you should be able to answer it. If you don’t know the answer, tell them you will check and get back to them. Managers can also help with customer questions.
  5. Give clear directions of where an item is in the store. If a customer is having a problem finding something in the store, walk them to the area or give them exact directions. “Somewhere over there,” is not the best way to answer. Customers can get frustrated and leave.
  6. Speak in a professional manner. You can speak “slang” or use other language with your friends. Not speaking properly may turn off customers and give them a negative impression of you.
You may feel it does not make any difference if a customer buys or not. It’s not your company. It really does make a difference. A customer, who has a great experience in a store, is likely to spend more money and return to the store again and again. This impacts you, because the number of customers shopping in a store may affect the number of hours you receive for work, if you receive a raise and if you will continue to have a job. Giving great customer service will help make your job a lot more fun!
Jen

TV Shows Sizzle this Summer!

Our blogger, Ariam, shares her favorite TV shows for the summer.

Like, Ariam, I watch Basketball Wives and I’m looking forward to the return of Atlanta Housewives, “Who gone check me, boo?” It promises to be more drama. Thanks to DVR on my TV, I can record shows and enjoy the world around me, knowing my favorite shows will be waiting for me. I agree these shows can be confrontational and unrealistic, but sometimes it doesn’t hurt to have fun and decompress from a busy day. At least, that’s what I tell myself.

I think reality shows are fun to watch, as long as, you remember it’s TV. For example, fighting like the “cast members” of Atlanta Housewives, Basketball Wives or Jersey Shore might land you in jail. Having nude pictures leaked online like Kim Kardasian, Paris Hilton or Jennifer Williams will not give you cool points or a reality show, it may lead to a bad reputation or land you in serious hot water with your parents. So, don’t try this at home, ok, boo boo (in my Evelyn of Basketball Wives voice)?

Keep it safe,

Jen

Beyonce’s Album Drops Next Week!

Your girl, Bey will receive her album titled, 4, on Tuesday, June 28th. If you can’t wait that long, you can pre-order her deluxe album through Tar-jay (Target), which includes bonus tracks and an extra-special video. Hopefully, you were not on the computer listening to the leaked version of her album. Be a real fan and pay the money to “cop that album” for yourself with real cash. Artists work hard to entertain their fans, and should be compensated for it. ‘Nuff said.


Anyway, Bey will be in Central Park for Good Morning America’s Summer Park Series. Beyonce’s Official site is giving away tickets and some of the local NYC stations will be giving away tickets, too. Even if you don’t win any tickets, you can still watch it on TV. That’s what I’ll be doing. . .


Have a good one!


Jen

What are your favorite summer TV shows?

As an adolescent, I remember coming home from after-school and being glued to the television screen (my body and eyes, both!). Now I’d be lucky to catch up on any of my shows because of work and school obligations! A maximum of 2 hours of TV a week sounds impossible, but believe anything!
When I say television I mean reality shows, soaps, talk shows (nothing educational, just for leisure). Some of my favorites include Bravo TV’s Real Houswives: New York, New Jersey and Atlanta (which is on a hiatus this summer) and Basketball Wives: Season 3.
On the topic of shows this season viewers said goodbye to The Office, (ran for seven seasons), and said hello to VH1’s Single Ladies, which is a drama scripted show that explores the lives of racially mixed women in Atlanta.
It seems like networks are fighting to keep viewers on the couch, but I’d rather watch the shores on the beach anyday. Sorry!
Talk to you soon,
Ariam

Jigga is Giving Away Scholarships!

Hip-hop artist and mogul, Jay-Z (Jigga), is giving away scholarships to college-bound high school students!

In order to be eligible for the scholarships and to keep them, you must fulfill the requirements below:

  • Show proof of US residency
  • Provide acceptance letter to a 4-year college or university, community college or trade school
  • Utilize scholarship funds for undergraduate programs only
  • Maintain a 2.0 grade average
  • Participate in community service projects as a scholarship recipient
  • Mentor incoming scholarship recipients after first year of college program
The Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation was created with Jay-Z and his mother, Ms. Gloria Carter. In addition to other community programs, they created the Shawn Carter scholarship fund to help students, who really want a chance for higher education. The foundation members offer scholarships to single mothers, children of alternative schools, students who have earned a G.E.D., and even formerly incarcerated students looking for a second chance in life. This is a great opportunity! If you’re unable to take advantage of it, please pass along to someone else who can.

Scholarship Deadline: June 30, 2011

Create Your Own Internship Opportunities

Hi There,

We have another program for you. Click on the program name below to be sent to the website. The Hyper Island accepts students for a digital fellowship program in Stockholm, Sweden for minority high school and college students. Yes, you can become a world traveler.

Hyper Island Digital Fellowship

I didn’t really get a good internship until I graduated from college. Hopefully, you’ll have better luck with getting an internship than I did. Many high school and college students get stressed out about internships, but it eventually works out in the end. If you are not having much luck with internships, try to get experience in a different way by thinking “outside the box.” As a college student I did a small internship at a company where someone basically gave me busy work, before I landed my big internship. After graduation from college, I was accepted as an intern for the American Association of Advertising Agency (4 As) Minority Advertising Internship Program. I was a paid intern at an advertising agency, which also helped me move to New York City. Before I was accepted at the internship, I sold advertising for my college newspaper for three years! It was not considered an internship, but I gained career experience. I worked there five days a week for several hours per day. The point of me talking about all of this is to emphasize the paid or unpaid programs at your school, where you can gain career experience. There are some great career clubs to help you gain experience, too. I was in an advertising club in college, which helped me receive a scholarship, go on trips and; ultimately, earn an internship. There are definitely programs and clubs out there, but if not, you can be a leader and create your own opportunities.

Jen

7 Websites to Know, Internships & Stilettos

It’s Wednesday and you’re halfway through the week. Yay! I hope you’re making the best of your weekday, so you can have some fun on the weekend!

Our blogger, Ariam strikes again. She’s posted a list of 7 websites that you need to know to help you get “in the grind” and work toward your dream career. She’s also a campus ambassador for the site, internqueen.com. She gives tips on how to search for and land, your first internship.

If you are a “stiletto woman,” you must read Yolanda’s blog about high heels. They are beautiful, but did you know they could be hazardous to your health? Plus, it’s beach and pool season, do you really think the cutie from your English class wants to see your feet at the beach with corns and hammertoes? I don’t think so. . .Read her post and you’ll learn how to stay fashionable and have healthy toes.

Have a great night,

Jen

Special Post: Link to 7 Websites Every High-schooler Should Get to Know

Remember the Intern Queen post? Well, I just found a link on the blog dedicated to high school students! Perfect timing!
The post includes sites that surely everyone has already been introduced. Craigslist, Fastweb.com, and Skype. Yes! Video chatting is a great tool college students use both professionally and personally. So, get familiar if you haven’t.
Well enough said, here’s the link:
Any questions or comments, just mention me twitter.com/ariam_alula!