JOB SEARCH JOURNEY: FINAL DESTINATION?

I've debated what to blog about this morning, first wanting to write about my love of animated film of all things, but have decided to blog about my impending job search since it's just around the river bend (see what I did there?)

I have heard that if you're really searching for something, you should make other people aware in case they have advice or can help you in some other way. So while I've had many a conversation behind closed doors, contemplating what to do and where to go, maybe there is something somebody outside of my most immediate circle knows or can enlighten me about.

Currently I am a second-year graduate assistant in Residence Life and prior to my GAship, I was a resident adviser for three years. I'm primarily searching for something that allows me to utilize my creative energies within Housing. 

I particularly love programming and graphic design, and am looking to gain more knowledge in the realm web communications. When I started college, I wanted to pursue film, and my undergraduate degree is in public relations - so ResLife marketing seems like a logical next move that will allow me to marry those interests, but I am unsure of how many and which universities actually have those kind of departments. While all my experience has been Housing related, I am also wondering if this might be a time to look into other areas of Student Affairs. And with that said, I am not so sure that I wouldn't mind working for a non-profit as well. I am really just looking for an opportunity to do things that fulfill my creative spirit and make me happy.

As much as Google may be my friend, she hasn't been incredibly helpful in exploring these career options - so my hope is by putting these thoughts in the blogosphere, maybe you have knowledge or advice I haven't yet found or heard. 

Best of wishes to all the other #SAgrads who are going on this journey with me, and if I ever may be of any assistance, please let me know! To the professionals who are aiding us, or anyone through a job search, know that your time is valued and your efforts appreciated. Your support makes the process all that much easier.

FRIDAY FUN: TYPOGRAPHIC VERSES

It's been a while since I've done a Friday Fun post, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to post about this.

In the wild world of Tumblr, I stumble across many a thing. This morning, much to my delight, I came upon a blog that that brightened up my entire day: Typographic Verses. Their description via their page: "High quality typographic designs of verses from the Bible. Made by Jonathan Ogden, with designs from Jonathan and other guest designers."

Completely mesmerized by some of these pieces. I find this collision of traditional text and the ever growing field of typography to be exceptionally beautiful.

Habakkuk 2:14

James 1:17

Psalm 51:2

James 4:5

Revelations 22:13

MOVIE POSTERS BASED OFF OF FONT TYPES

Last week I started to watch Drive while on a train ride, and was really surprised at the font used for the title (something similar to Mistral.) For some reason it really resonated with me that something so cheesy seemed applicable to this feature film. This sparked the idea to create fake movie posters based off of fonts, and thus, these images were born:

Accurate? Inaccurate? Let me know what you think! And all the "actor" names are made up. Something else I may or may not enjoy doing in my spare time.

Dream Jobs

Hello all!

Lately I've had "dream jobs" on my mind lately, and on a lazy Friday afternoon, I thought writing a blog post about it seemed like a good thing to do! So with no further ado, my top three dream jobs.

1. Residence Life Cross-Campus and Community Representative
Okay, to some extent this is part of all of our jobs, yes? But what I really want is a specific job that allows me the time to exclusively foster strong relationships with different departments and organizations in the community for means of co-collaboration. Collaboration is something very important to me, and I believe that there is so much potential for great programming waiting to be tapped. Too many times I think we work independently (not to say it is not necessary) but I can only imagine what would happen if we often teamed up to provide for our students. I want to know, and work, with other University and community members to create a more enriching environment for our students during their time at college. Does this position exist at your school? Your opinions?

2. Graphic Designer for Residence Life Programs
OKAY Y'ALL. I just really love design. I would probably get boosted from this job if I ever had it quickly by a legitimate graphic designer, but it still is a dream job. Marketing usually takes care of the big H&F things in terms of publicity, but I wish I could help with publicity for RAs, RSA/RHA, and Faculty-in-Residence programs in all residence halls. Actually, I think what I most want to be is a graphics and event consultant. I don't know everything, but I really really do love design. And I think it is such an important factor in programming. And I just want to help everyone be successful! Dream job for sure.


3. Women's Suit Boutique Owner
When I look for suits for interviews or the job, all I see is drab, antique, or pricy. Some say clothes don't matter or shouldn't matter, but I think they do. For some, loving an outfit and looking good in it is quite a confidence booster. In regards to drabness, I feel like the focus is always on black, grey, and tan suits, but I do think prints and color can have a place in the business world. Truthfully, I want to revolutionize the way we think about women's suits - there is a way to look classy but fun (happy!) and not look gaudy. I imagine a world of delicate colors and feminine floral prints, or bright graphic prints for the bolder woman. And when I say suits I mean suits, not bodycon skirts and cropped blazers. I'm not even sure you can get the look I'm thinking of, but if you can it means going to a countless number of stores and paying a hefty amount. I want to create a store specifically for the fashion-driven women who don't want to break their bank account, where they can conveniently find beautiful separates all under one roof.

What is/are your dream job(s)? Do they exist - are you pursuing them to make them exist? :)

Friday Fun: Re-Covered Books

The Fox is Black is a favorite website of mine, particularly for their Desktop Wallpaper Project (yay free wallpaper!) Somewhat recently - I think in the past 2 years at least - they started graphic design contests to recreate book covers for popular literature. I always seeing the cleverness and modern beauty people create. I hadn't checked TFIB in awhile, but this morning I found out they did a Romeo and Juliet re-cover contest and thought it was definitely worth sharing!

These were my three favorites:

by Simon Lindenthaler

by Margaret Park

by Oscar Socorro

Check out all the other Romeo and Juliet entries here - and then see who won here!

Also, check out the past book contest that have happened: Dracula, The Outsiders, Jane Eyre, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep, Odyssey, Lord of the Flies, and The Great Gatsby.

Nothing like a little eye candy on a Friday morning, eh?

Outlook

I can't believe the last time I posted was a month ago! Holy sheesh!

Well, in that month's time I have finished up my summer job at OU. Summer camps was a good run. I am now out of school and taking a year off at home. I plan to look for work in September, hopefully finding work in one of the local school systems (either high school or collegiate) so that I may work an environment that I may work in permanently in the future.

I will apply for graduate school in January, to start my master's degree in Higher Education in the fall of 2011. Before then I hope to accomplish:

- learning more about the education field. I have started to follow great education and leadership twitter accounts and hope to familiarize myself with blogs and forums that discuss education.

- working on my design skills. I no longer have access to a mac, but I hope to learn a lot through online tutorials. I love love love design and I hope to learn as much as I can! I think every great communicator should at least understand the world of design.

- having fun with the extra time I have to enjoy my interests. I have picked photography back up (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scarletoak if you're interested) and am spending a lot of time on www.hitrecord.org - a collaborative art website. I have fallen back in love with creating and am glad I have the time to spend on things that bring me so much happiness.

- hopefully dabble in the PR real world a little. I didn't get my degree for nothing! :)

I am open to advice, insight, or feedback about any of the above.

I also hope to blog more in the future about my endeavors, honorbright.
Life is good.

xoxo e