Life Before Noon: A Millennial’s Manual

Ah, the highly coveted internship. Maybe you have your dream internship lined up for this summer, or perhaps you are still desperately calling human resources for insight on the status of your application. Whatever your internship status, there is a resource out there for you (besides Life Before Noon, of course). Hello Intern Memo.

Wait! Intern Memo isn’t a blog!

I know. Intern Memo is an e-mail newsletter. According to the managing Web site,

“Intern Memo is a free e-mail newsletter with a mix of event listings, intern stories and career advice specifically for interns–basically all you need to land the perfect internship and then to get you through it.”

So…how does it work?

Two times per week, Intern Memo sends information to subscribers about internship searching, interviews, company internship profiles, how to choose your internship-worthy city and other relevant topics.

Intern Memo was started by brothers Will and Theodore Bressman, two Harvard graduates who had several summers of internship experience. The newsletter launched in summer 2007 and focused on interns in the New York City area. After a summer of e-mail newsletters in New York, Intern Memo started Intern Memo National in September.

I became an Intern Memo subscriber this past fall after a friend referred me to the site. The newsletter gives useful information, but what’s even better is that Intern Memo and MonsterTrak recently combined forces so that more internship search information will be available in the near future. Also, Intern Memo specifically for D.C. and L.A. are coming soon.

Whether you are an intern or young professional, Intern Memo is a great resource in addition to your blogging readings.

-Carla

The Internet has officially taken over my life.

From spending hours job hunting online to constantly checking GMail and all things so brilliantly Google, I’ve literally given myself over to the Web. And like the majority of Gen Y, I too have a Facebook account that keeps me updated on all things going on in my social world. But looking into my professional future how am I supposed to showcase my personal profile sans those less than flattering photos from Homecoming? Welcome LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site spanning 150 industries. With 20 million registered users, the organization is the Web leader when it comes to connecting colleagues and creating new contacts.

One reason the site is so awesome is the fact that not only does it provide job postings based on industry or geographical data, but users also have the opportunity to see the profiles of people who currently work at various companies (i.e. your potential boss) and get to know a little about them before actually meeting them.

There are also nifty features that allow users to maintain a list of people you know and trust in the business field. Making connections with these people builds your online network, linking you to countless other professionals in your field. Once you’ve begun to establish your system of connections, current or former peers and supervisors can make recommendations for you based on the work you’ve done with and/or for them. Getting these references boosts your profile on the site, making you more desirable to browsing prospective employers.

If you haven’t already done so, jump on making a LinkedIn profile immediately. In this age of ever-increasing dependency on technology, it is an absolutely essential tool for success in the business world. And bonus — it’s nice to know that colleagues and future employers have a chance to check out your stats without seeing that video of you dominating the Beer Olympics at last year’s block party.

*For JMU’s very own social networking site, be sure to check out JMUNation.org. It’s LinkedIn with a Madison twist.

-Marilyn

As I am about to enter the workforce for the first time, I’ve discovered that encouragement can come from the most unlikely of sources. For example, I have an older brother. While it may not seem like much, being able to watch him make his way through life just a few years ahead of me has really been an advantage. It’s also motivated me to think about my future differently than other college seniors. He’s done some great things and made some mistakes, as I’m sure I will too. But either way he’s already given me a little taste of what the “real world” is like.

One thing I observed soon after he started his first job was the infamous “potluck luncheon” his office threw biweekly. You know these, it’s when each person in the office “involuntary volunteers” to bring something for the entire staff to enjoy. And while it does break the monotony and build rapport among employees, such events can be stressful for a young professional who is bending over backwards to make a good impression. Especially if, like most college kids, you’ve spent four years cooking nothing more than Easy Mac and ramen.

In trying to somewhat prepare for such an event, I have given instructions for one of my favorite easy, quick and tasty recipes – chocolate top saltine bars.

Here’s what you will need:

• 2 sticks butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup sugar
• saltine crackers
• 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, sprinkles, etc. (optional)

Here’s how you’ll do it:

• Line a 13 by 9 inch pan with foil and then saltines. Melt 1 stick of butter, ½ cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla in a small bowl. Pour this mixture over the saltines and spread it evenly with a spoon or spatula. Then repeat, adding another layer of saltines and another layer of butter, sugar and vanilla. Bake this at 350 degrees for five to eight minutes.
• Remove the pan from the oven and cover all of the saltines with chocolate chips. Next, let the chips melt and spread them evenly. Top the whole concoction with walnuts or sprinkles if you want. Chill it in the refrigerator, and then remove it and cut the cookies into pieces. Enjoy!

Simple and easy recipes like this are sure to be a hit at any office party or potluck luncheon. Find something that appeals to a variety of tastes and be aware of peoples’ allergies. For example, with the saltine bars, you may want to make some without walnuts, just in case. Finally, look at this as an entertaining opportunity to get to know your co-workers, rather than something that management makes you do once in a while.

Happy cooking and happy eating!

-Haley