Meet A CL Contributor and NYC Summer Intern, Meaghan O’Connor!

Name: Meaghan O’Connor

Position: Contributor (I’ll be writing about my experience as an NYC intern at Food Network Magazine this summer!)

University: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Major: Communication Studies

Organizational Involvement: Alpha Chi Omega

Pets: Maltese/Shih-Tzu Puppy (Addie)

Nickname: Meg Taylor

Dream Job: Editor-In-Chief of a Hearst Magazine or PR Professional for Hearst Corporation

Favorite color: Pale Purple

Favorite candy: Peanut Butter M & M’s

Favorite movie: No Strings Attached

Favorite cuisine: Any Breakfast Food (Oatmeal, Greek Yogurt, Muffins, Blueberry Pancakes)

Favorite season: Fall

Coffee vs Tea: Definitely coffee; I share an entire pot with my mom while I’m at home!

PC vs Mac: I don’t think I’d be a functional college student without my MacBook Pro.

Coke vs Pepsi: Diet Coke

Stripes vs Polka Dots: Polka Dots are my summer staple!

3 words to describe me: Organized, Conscientious and Focused

3 words to describe my style: Simple, Clean and Sophisticated

You will find on my desk: My computer, pens/pencils, my Lilly Pulitzer planner and lots of picture frames

You will find on my DVR/Tivo: Grey’s Anatomy, Gossip Girl and The Bachelorette

You will find on my iPod: Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift

You will find in my refrigerator: Yogurt, Apples and a Tub of Cookie Dough

I have a slight obsession with: My iPhone and Instagram

I dislike: When people break their promises.

My friends would say I am: Driven and passionate about achieving my dreams.

I am most happy when: I’m home with family for the holidays.

Most people are surprised to know I: Have never read the Harry Potter Series.

A classy co-ed is: A college student learning that it’s okay to be comfortable in your own unique skin…and also realizing that real life is just around the corner.

Meaghan O’Connor is a Communication Studies Major at the University of Michigan who would rather be at Starbucks or Barnes and Noble reading magazines than anywhere else. She’s excited to be spending the summer as a CL contributor and Intern at Food Network Magazine in NYC. You can follow my day to day adventures on my personal blog.

Graduation Outfits: How to be Affordably Stunning on Your Day

 Above are three dresses from Lauren Conrad’s collection for Kohl’s. With the dresses running from $40-$60 each, they are afforadble, gorgous and look extremely flattering on all body types! Now, onto shoes!

If you’re going with a neutral dress, the pop of bright color is a must for shoes. Whether you like high heels like the pink Candie’s above (top left, $19.99) or flat sandals like Jennifer Lopez’ sandals (bottom right, $44.99), bright colors will add so much– especially when you can’t see your dress & just see that potato-sack gown!

If your dress has its own pop of color and you want to go subdtle with accessories, you can go with nude or black! A great pair of nude wedges are Simply Vera by Vera Wang (top right, $39.97). If nude isn’t for you, a classy pair of black high heels always looks great, like the LC Lauren Conrad heels (bottom left, $39.99).

With these great deals from Kohl’s, it’s simple to create a GREAT outfit for your important day (and still have money to go out for drinks with your family after)!

 

 

This post was written by Emily Longeretta, a senior editorial intern for CollegeLifestyles (TM). She is graduating from SUNY Oswego May 12 and is heading to New York City to pursue a career in journalism and public relations. With passion for sports, entertainment and ofcourse great fashion, she hopes to be extermely successful and thanks everyone who helped her get here.

Five ‘don’ts’ of first dates

College is all about figuring out what you like in a person and, more importantly, what you don’t like. To determine your liking, it often takes a lot of dating and it all starts with the almighty first date.

I’ve never been a fan of going out on dates. They’re awkward, stereotypical and full of worries. Call me cynical but I’d rather “hangout” as friends until calling it more, than formally going on a date.

Either way, there’s always a few things NOT to do on the first date. Maybe you can save them for the second, or for never. Your call.

After going on what some may call “disaster dates,” I’ve come up with a list of what NOT to do. I can’t promise you’ll always get a second date, but I can promise a pretty good first one!

 

Ladies, please do not …

Wear something that is not like you

Never dress to impress if it looks nothing like you. The person you’re going on the date with asked you out for a reason: because you are you. Don’t come out of the house looking like you got dressed in another person’s closet.

Make things complicated

Going on a first date usually means you are still getting to know the person you’re seeing. Since you have never formally dated before, it’s hard to judge character or how a situation will go. The best advice I have is to just go with the flow. Even if his car runs out of gas on the freeway (this has happened to me).

Be glued to your phone

Being on the phone 24/7 in front of people is rude in general but on a date, it is just wrong. The important conversation you should be having is with your date. If a call or text is important enough to respond to, excuse yourself and come back phone-free.

Expect anything 

The number one way to be let down is to have expectations. Don’t go into a date thinking it will go great or by anticipating every little move. Most likely it will be nothing like you expected and that’s not always a bad thing.

Worry about the date afterward

A date will either go great or it won’t and you will know which it was. Don’t waste time after thinking “Did I do say that right?” or “Does he like me?” because the date was what it was and you can’t go back and change it. After all, this is part of the learning process of finding out what you want!

 

I’ve been on dates where I had allergic reactions to food; dates where the guy is a total tool; and dates where the waiter spilled water all over my pants. But I got through them by what I made out of it and learned a few things (don’t try new food, you live and you learn, and NEVER wear white pants).

Therefore, even if your date goes terribly wrong even after you made sure you didn’t mess it up, it will always be a learning experience.

 

What is your advice for going on a first date? Have you ever done any of these “don’ts” and regretted it? 

Going on a date? Check out this super cute Lauren Conrad outfit for the big day!

 

Jessica Fecteau is a senior fashion, etiquette and apartment/dorm life writer and is a sophomore at Central Michigan University. Jessica loves fashion magazines, listening to indie/folk music and traveling to big cities.

 

 

 

3 Post-Interview Need-To-Dos

Cheers! You successfully pushed past adrenaline, anxiety, and bullets of sweat, finishing the interview off strong. You’re feeling great, smiling at employees, and walking out the front door as if you just clocked out for the day. However, getting home and kicking your feet up on the coffee table isn’t the last phase of this process. The interview may be over, but give your future boss even more incentive to hire you by taking action with these three effective tips.

The Thank-you Letter

A thank-you note, either handwritten or sent by e-mail, clarifies you can finish what you’ve started. It’s a formal address to the interviewer, so be punctual by sending the note within 72 hours after the interview. If it’s handwritten, make sure it’s in the office by the third day.

Thank the interviewer (duh) for choosing you as a candidate, and then discuss your enthusiasm about the prospective job—just don’t over-do it… it’ll sound forceful. If you made use of your leather notepad, you won’t have to remember details from the interview (names, opportunities, etc) to mention in the thank-you because they’ll be right there! Also use this letter to ask a question or two and express an idea, further showing your interest and dedication. A quick Google search will provide you with a few sample letters if you aren’t sure where to start.

Wait Patiently

Don’t be bothersome by calling and e-mailing incessantly. Has anyone been hired yet? Can I interview for another position? How many candidates are being considered? Slow down and resist the pesky questions! If the interviewer gave you a two-week time frame in which you will hear back from them, give ‘em time. If no time was allotted, follow-up calmly about a week after the interviewer will have received your thank-you note.

Classy Rejection

Let’s face it, you won’t obtain every job you interview for, and that’s ok! Breathe and accept that some opportunities aren’t meant to be. A suggestion from cnn.com states to send another thank-you note post-rejection to stand out in a positive manner. Who knows, maybe the second letter will make them reconsider or keep you in mind for the future.

Tiana Blue is a Senior Writer for College Lifestyles™. This fourth semester sophomore at Penn State is a print journalism major with a penchant for food, stilettos, and the city that never sleeps.

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4 Tips for Moving Back In with Your Parents

One of the best parts of going away to college is the freedom of living on your own. Your parents aren’t around to give you a curfew, ask you to wash the dishes or make you walk the dog. It’s nice to not have to answer to mom and dad, but this freedom may not last forever! As summer and graduation nears, many co-eds will be forced to move back home. If you will spend the summer sleeping in your childhood bedroom, follow these tips to make sure you and the ‘rents have a smooth transition.

Clean up after yourself

Part of being an adult is cleaning up after yourself. It is no longer mom’s responsibility to pick up your dirty clothes!

Establish a plan for when you go out

A great part about moving home is hanging out with friends you don’t see while at school. Depending on your parents, you may or may not have a curfew when you move back home. If you do have a curfew, be sure to respect it and come home when your parents ask. If you don’t have a curfew, it is still considerate to let your parents know where you are going and when you will return. Even though you’re no longer in high school, mom and dad still worry!

Contribute to household chores 

When living at home, it is important to be a contributive family member and not just a lump on the couch. Show your parents how much you appreciate them by helping out around the house. A great way to help is by cooking meals. Need ideas for some tasty recipes? Check out what our interns are cooking in our Intern Kitchen!

Have fun!

One of the best things about living at home is seeing your parents everyday. Believe it or not, mom and dad can have fun too! Take this opportunity to hang out and strengthen your bond with your parents. Find an activity you all enjoy and make it a fun family outing!

Although moving back in with your parents can seem like a disaster waiting to happen, it doesn’t have to be! Follow these tips and you can have a great summer and beyond with mom and dad. You may even wonder why you ever moved out in the first place!

 

 

Rachel Osman is a sophomore journalism major at Indiana University. After not living at home for almost two years, she is excited to move back home this summer!

 

Job Challenge Day 7: What Should You Wear to a Job Interview?

Dress for the career you want.  What if your career does not require a suit?  Should you wear pants, a skirt, or only one piece of jewelry?  Bring a handbag or not?  Put your keys on the table or not?  Times have changed from the stuffy suit to a more relaxed look.  What do you suggest?

Day 7:  What should you wear to a job interview?

 

 

Remember to RSVP for our Job Search Twitter Party on 4/18 9pm EST/8pm CST using the hashtag #CLchat.  On 4/19, you will be able to upload your resume to our site to aid us in your job search!

CL’s 5 Stay Fit in Summer Tips

By: Katie O’Brien

 

Accompanied with the bliss of summer heat is the daunting thought of short shorts, swimsuits, and tight tank tops.  It’s no secret that summer weather translates into less clothing, and thus the added pressure of staying fit. After stress eating your way through finals, the thought of busting out that bikini for a beach weekend seems unbearable. Thoughts of juice cleanse, intense diets, and crazy workouts run rampant through your mind as the weather warms up and the shorts come out. Indisputably, no one can resist an ice-cream cone during these heated months, making the notion of dieting seem far too unrealistic. However, the true secret to feeling your best during summertime is a healthy exercise regiment. CL provides some great tips for remaining healthy during the summer.

1. Follow an effective exercise routine

One of the best types of workouts for you is cardio. Even if it is only for 20 minutes each day, cardio is one of the best ways to stay fit. Interval training is recognized as one of the most efficient ways to get your body in shape—it can be as simple as alternating running for ten minutes and walking for ten minutes.

2. Find a workout buddy

It is much easier to go on runs, go to yoga, or go to the gym when a friend goes with you. You can work to motivate each other and make sure each other keeps up with the workouts.

3. Be consistent with your workouts

It is crucial to stay consistent with your workouts. You should exercise for about the same time each week and try to do some form of physical activity every day.

4. Set a goal for yourself

You should set a goal for yourself and work towards it throughout the summer. It will help you stay motivated. Maybe buy a dress or shorts in a smaller size and work towards reaching that point. However, it is imperative that these goals are realistic so you avoid feeling discouraged.

5. Eat what you want, but in moderation

You should not deprive yourself of all of the summer foods you crave. It is most certainly okay to indulge in lemonade, barbeques, and ice cream! However, it is important to do so in moderation.

Pre-Interview Checklist: 5 Things You Need To Do

Pat yourself on the back: you just nabbed an interview for your dream internship or job! However, stepping into the office and shaking hands (a manicure’s a must!) with your interviewer is hardly the beginning. Prior to the big day, ease those pre-interview woes by checking the following five tips off of your checklist.

 

Social Media Clean-up 

Knowing how to efficiently communicate digitally is vital (and why half the planet has either a Facebook or Twitter profile–and those are only the most well-known forms of social media communication). Because of human reliance on social media, posting incriminating words or photos onto a website is an afterthought. Be smart and stay ahead of the game by keeping suspect items out of your photos or not uploading any negative images altogether.

And it’s not just photos. Tailor your “About Me” section as if it were a cozy resume. For example, do include any books you’ve read and quotes that portray you in a positive manner, not in one which suggests all you do is party. Even if it is what you do, your boss doesn’t care to know!

Research the Company

Walking into the interview cold-turkey is the best way to be unprepared. What will you do when the interviewer wants your thoughts on how the company markets their products? Or what if the interviewer asks you what was your favorite magazine issue of 2011 and why? You’ll freeze up if you have no idea, but it’ll be smooth sailing if you invested time into company-scaping.

What’s the STAR Method?

Situation or Task, Action Taken, Results Achieved

In short, the STAR method is  a style of behavioral interviewing meant for throwing the interviewee off guard a bit, testing your ability to respond quickly, properly, and critically to specific questions. Not everyone uses this method, but it’s always best to be prepared. And remember, flip any flaw into a positive! If your weakness is time management, state how you enjoy taking on several duties and helping others because you have many skills, but you are also dedicated to quality task-completion.

Sample STAR questions:

1. How have you handled a situation in which the information presented to you was conflicting or there was no clear right or wrong answer?
2. Give me an example of a time when you were asked to do something you had never done before.
3. Tell me about a time when you felt it necessary to compromise your own immediate interests in order to be flexible and tolerant of another person’s needs.

Practice Makes Perfect

Now’s the time to make good use of your campus Career Center. See if it provides mock interviews for you to practice your vocals, body language, and facial expressions with a trained professional. Remember, career-oriented interviews will be different than an interview for Urban Outfitters.

And get comfortable with your bathroom mirror by reciting  responses in front of it. Although it may seem initially-awkward, being acquainted with your expressions in front of a mirror is best because “Your face will often speak louder than your words,” Ted Heckman said via careerealism.com.

Buy A Leather Notepad

Don’t shuffle into an interview with a large tote. A classy and stylish notepad is very professional and limits how much you will have to carry. It’s also a safe place to store a pen, jot down notes and questions before or during the interview, and for keeping copies of your resume and cover letter. You can buy one online or find them at your campus bookstore, but beware of the steep price tags.

As always, Walmart to the rescue! Walmart carries leather notepads at an alarmingly affordable price. Below is what one for 10 bucks looks like:

Do all of the above and your future boss will be eager to tell you…

Tiana Blue is a Senior Writer for College Lifestyles™. This fourth semester sophomore at Penn State is a print journalism major with a penchant for food, stilettos, and the city that never sleeps.

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The 5 Best Shorts for Summer 2012

By:  Katie O’Brien

Undoubtedly, one of the best parts of the summer is breaking out the much-anticipated warm weather clothing. After spending the excruciatingly cold months (especially as a student in Michigan!) covered in huge sweaters and puffy coats, it is finally time to wear dresses, skirts, and, my personal favorite, shorts. Shorts are arguably the most versatile article of summer clothing. Paired with the correct top and accessories, one pair of shorts can function as both casual and dressy. Admittedly, however, it is difficult to find a good pair of shorts for a reasonable price. To help classy co-eds find the perfect pair of shorts that fit into a college student’s budget, CL has searched for the perfect options. Below are five inexpensive, but extremely stylish, pairs of shorts.

 

1.  These KNT by Kova & T Leather Varsity shorts are sold at Urban Outiffers. Admittedly, leather shorts do sound complicated. However, the deep red leather is not too over the top—they can be worn to class or dressed up for going out. These shorts, definitely a must have, are only $39.99!

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=21364096

2. These Ecote Silky Printed Shorts can also be found on Urban Outfitters. The pattern is perfectly understated and the colors in the shorts make them easy to pair with many different colored tops. They are only $29.99!

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/category.jsp?id=SALE_W&categories=catalog01_sale_sale_w_sale_w_bottoms

3. These Pieced Lace Shorts can be found at Free People. The delicate lace makes them extremely girly and unique. Paired with a black tank top or a jean jacket, these shorts are perfect for a summer night out. And, perhaps best of all, they are on sale for only $49.95!

http://www.freepeople.com/sale-sale-bottoms/pieced-lace-skort/

4. Their name describes them perfectly. These Season Staple Shorts from anthrpologie are a must have. They can be worn all throughout the summer and even the fall. They are simple enough to go with almost anything and are only $58. 

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-pants/23876253.jsp

5. We have saved the best for last. These 4” chino shorts come in all different bright colors and can be dressed up or dressed down. They are definitely a summer staple and are just $45. http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/shorts.jsp

 

 

5 Tips to Make Hunting for a Summer Apartment EASY

When it comes to searching for a place to live, there’s dozens of things to consider. And when you’re searching for a place just for the summer, the challenge becomes even bigger. For interns all around the country, finding a place to live over the summer in a different city just adds on much more stress on the process, but it doesn’t need to with these must follow tips to make your summer apartment search that much easier.

• Know what’s important to you– location, furnished, rent? These are all things to consider. Write down the important factors before you even begin to look so that you don’t waste your time looking at things that are way out of the area, have no furniture, or cost way too much money.
• Do you want roommates? If heading to New York City or Los Angeles, it may cheaper to live with roommates. If this is something that seems doable for you, check out if you have friends that will be in the area, or if you’re comfortable living with strangers– I’ve done it. Be sure you meet these people (not alone) ahead of time, ask about previous roommates, and if possible if you could talk to those roommates who can tell you what it was like living with them.
• Look far ahead of time. Many use sites like Craigslist to find a place. I’ve done this, and one big thing to remember is to allow yourself atleast a week of free days that you are setting aside to go look at places. Map them out so that you’re not backtracking around a huge city.
• Start searching. Like most online sites, if you’re heading to Craigslist, you can search by price point, location, roomates, etc. However you need to be sure you are noticing things that seem off. If it seems “too good to be true,” it probably is. There are a lot of scams out there, one that shows up all over the web, where they send you amazing pictures of a place, and tell you they’re away at a different country, so just need to you send them a check, and blah blah blah. It’s a scam. Some ads may not have pictures, which is a turn-off, or have pictures that aren’t great;  but don’t let it completely discourage you. Plan a visit, and go check it out. Also, don’t get your hopes too high if the pictures look amazing. Think about it– people sometimes look great in pictures and then not-so-great in real life.
• Ask all the right questions. So you’ve found a place you think may be a good fit. But there are some questions you need to ask the landlord/roommates before signing anything.

–>What is the rent and what does it include (electric, gas, utilities, hot water, etc.)? Also, discuss the security deposit, and be sure if you are getting it back the day you move out, once they find a new roommate, or at another time?

–>What date exactly is the rent due on each month?

–>Ask them where the nearest subway is– this is very important. You don’t want to be walking blocks and blocks late at night (especially if it’s not in the ideal area)!

–>Let them know when your move in and move out dates will be, to be sure it’s okay with them that it’s temporary.

–>What are there sleeping habits like? You probably won’t find anyone with the exact same habits as you– actually you definitely won’t. However, if you’re working 8-5, you may not want someone who is up late all night.

–>Ask them about groceries– will you be splitting groceries, or doing your own?

–>Ask them about guests: is it okay for you to have people over? How often do they have people over? (Girlfriends/boyfriends/parents/friends, etc.)

 

So, if you need more help, feel free to email me at longeret@oswego.edu. I found my last NYC apartment on Craigslist and lived with two strangers! Sounds insane, but for an internship with Elle magazine it works out!

Emily Longeretta is a senior editorial and social media intern for College Lifestyles (TM). She is about to graduate and is moving back to New York City and would love to intern for Affect PR. You can vote for her here!

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