CAREER

My freshman year of college was a year of firsts. My first time living outside of my home. My first time stepping foot inside a sorority and even truly knowing what Greek life was. My first time having a slice of Antonio’s pizza at two in the morning. My first time learning what “icing out” meant. (It’s a U of I thing.)

I also had another monumental first. I failed my first semester of college.

Looking back now, it seems so trivial in the grand scheme of things. But at the time, I remember feeling so overwhelmed and underprepared for both the rigor and freedom that university life brought on. I remember taking a midterm in late September, flunking it, and assuming I had multiple exams throughout the semester to make up for it. It was only after I reviewed the syllabus that I realized that midterm was 30% of my grade and there was not going to be another opportunity to make it up.

Arriving to campus as a journalism major, I was so confident that my future as a news anchor was what I wanted. All it took was plopping down for JOUR101 and hearing the first fifteen minutes of class to start perusing my university website for steps on how to drop a class. I remember feeling so lost on where to go next, especially considering I had four years of coursework up in the air now.

Failing my first semester of college was a massive reality check for me. It pushed me to face my inefficient study habits, my irregular sleep schedule, my misalignment with my proposed major and course of study, and to make a game plan for what I actually wanted to study and accomplish.

Today, I have not one, but two degrees from the University of Illinois. I found my passion in the Political Science department and spent my undergraduate experience interning with an Illinois state senator and government affairs office, making lifelong friends in my sorority, studying abroad in Granada, Spain, and living my best life on a Big Ten college campus. I continued to make Illinois my home, as I pursued my graduate degree in Technology Management and Information Systems in the Gies College of Business. Today, I work with Fortune 100 companies and their C-Suites to solve complex cyber security and data privacy issues.

On one hand, I’m far away from the freshman Sam failing college. On the other hand, I’ve never been closer to her. She is the reason I’m here today.

Failure didn’t deter me or make me feel like I wasn’t capable of handling a university experience. It led me to seek external resources such as tutors, create a study schedule, stay organized, and to build relationships with my professors and teaching assistants. It was a stepping stone to greatness and not the boulder that took me down.

If I were to go back and give advice to freshman Sam, here are some of the things I’d tell her to keep in mind.

STAY ORGANIZED

Whether you prefer digital calendars or a paper planner, having somewhere to document upcoming dates, events, deadlines, and homework assignments is critical. Before you start every class, download and print out the syllabus and make sure you go through and highlight any important call outs and dates to know. This way you won’t get caught off guard when your midterm is three weeks into the class and worth a large chunk of your grade. It’s also important to stay organized and know what your graduation and major requirements are. As someone who changed her major multiple times, this was only possible because I took classes that either overlapped or counted for my overall graduation requirements. Figure out what you need to get the overall degree and then figure out what classes it’s going to take for you to enjoy yourself during the process.

MANAGE YOUR TIME

This was an area I really struggled with. Although my classes were rigorous, there was no one to stop me from staying up until five in the morning and sleeping all day. I could go out with friends and push off my responsibilities and no one was there to tell me otherwise. Learn how to manage your time and account for the fun times and the academic ones. I learned that I liked having my classes bulked in the morning because I could go and get them out of the way, take a nap when I got home, and work on homework or relax later. Making a plan and figuring out my own preferences was critical to getting this down.

SEEK RESOURCES

College is the one time in your life where you are constantly surrounded by free resources to help you succeed. There are always professor office hours, peers that have taken the class before and can provide support, teaching assistants to answer questions, libraries to pull research from, etc. If you don’t get something, odds are there’s a resource out there to help you. Take advantage of this and don’t be shy! I showed up to so many informational meetings, office hours, free lunches with a speaker, etc. but I loved being able to use these resources.

GET TO KNOW YOUR FACULTY

Remember that exam I told you I failed in the beginning? Well, I ended up working my butt off and received an A- on the final. My TA knew how much work I had put into studying because I was constantly asking him questions and coming in for office hours, so he hand-wrote me a note on my exam that said he was proud of my improvement and to keep going. This was a major deal because it was a lecture hall kind of class with over 300+ students. I kid you not, I saved that exam with that note and still have it today. I also ended up taking every single Political Science course he was a TA for because I knew I enjoyed his teaching style and we had built a good relationship. This was only possible because I made it a point to get to know my professors and to reach out to them when I was visibly struggling.

FAILURE IS NOT THE FINAL STOP

Failing a class or a semester is not the end all be all. Routine behavior that doesn’t honor your academic responsibilities over an extended period of time is. It’s okay to not be great at every single class or to nail every single exam. There were some classes where I was just happy to pass. But study hard, try your best and move on. You can always take an easier class to bump up your GPA if need be or do a grade replacement course if it’s offered.

Final Thoughts

As an adult, you don’t remember that horrible final in ECON203 or that difficult essay for your Religion class. (I’m looking at you Intro to Buddhism 101.) You remember that you made the best of your college experience, tried hard, stayed honest with yourself, and fought for the grades and opportunities you know you deserved. I ended up graduating on the Political Science Honor society and going off to get my graduate degree from the Gies College of Business in Technology Management and Information Systems. Sometimes, I’ll sit back and think “Oh yeah, that did happen”… and then I move on with my life. Being the first in my family to enter the American academic system was not without its challenges, but I made the best with what I had. The idea of “failing forward” is the recognition that we’re all to fail at some point. We’re never going to get everything right on the first try and that’s okay. Fail in the direction of where you want to go, learn from your mistakes, and keep trying until you get it right. For me, failure was not the end of the world, but there was a lot of work that went into making sure that was the case.

Unprecedented times. As we creep up on our one year year pandemiversary, it’s safe to say the remote work environment has taken a massive transformation throughout the last year. Gone are they days of simply logging online from your bed with your camera off while taking notes in the background of an hour long call. (Admit it, you’ve done it too.) Now, the video chat game is encompassing of major client conversations, rigorous academic exams, important touch points with family and friends, and even awkward first dates.

As I’ve experienced this shift alongside the rest of the world, I have come across a couple of things that have helped me feel more prepared and polished on camera for these different types of events. Especially when internet connectivity and audio issues can easily occur, having a controlled environment that manages a clean presentation and presence is key to having your video speak for itself.

Ensuring Proper Lighting

If there is only one thing you take from this article, please let it be the fact that proper lighting is key to a strong first impression on video. Whether you’re taking advantage of natural light streaming from a window while you’re facing it or you’re utilizing a form of artificial light through a lamp or a ring light, making sure that your face and background is properly illuminated is important. This is the first thing others will see when you log online and it creates the basis for being able to read one’s facial expressions and reactions throughout a call. Especially when virtual, these visual cues are critical and speak for themselves.

If you have assess to a window with natural light, try to position your desk so that your face is facing the window. This will allow that natural light to illumnate you and your background. However, if you’re like me, you might not find the window to be the best spot for your workspace area. If so, there are a few options.

First, you can make sure you have one or two lamps directly behind your computer or desk area to provide a spotlight effect on you during the call. Never put the light behind you or to the side, as this can cast unflattering shadows across your face. Second, you can purchase a ring light on Amazon that plugs in and provides various features for additional lighting. A ring light is a light that is typically used for filming or shooting video or photo content when there isn’t enough proper lighting. But don’t be intimidated, it’s actually amazing for amping up your lighting situation for work calls as well.

Having a Basic Grooming Kit Handy

There are definitely mornings where I grab a coffee in my messy bun while I catch up on my morning emails. There are also mornings where someone pings me to jump on a quick call right then and there and I have to rush upstairs to make myself look presentable. Avoid these off-guard moments and have a small of kit of grooming essentials near your workspace area for these occasions. This can include anything from small amounts of makeup for touch-ups, a hairbrush to turn that messy bun into a sleek bun, makeup wipes to clean up a spill on your outfit, or even an extra blazer draped over your desk chair that you can throw on for calls. This is such a simple thing you can do that night before and have ready for these kinds of emergencies. Looking put together can add instant credibility during these types of calls, especially when they’re unexpected.

Logging On Early

This is also an easy tip that requires minimal effort. If you tend to be in back-to-back calls throughout the day, this tip may not be feasible for you. However, if you have a lighter day, make a point to always log onto your calls a few minutes early. I think anywhere between 2-4 minutes is appropriate.

The reason being is that you might run into potential audio issues, connectivity problems, or overall unexpected troubles that could disrupt or impact the call if you were to join as everyone was already on. By joining a few minutes early, you give yourself the proper opportunity to trouble test everything yourself and make sure you are prepared for when others log on. I also like this tip because it positions you as usually always being the first on a call and allows you to greet others as they trickle in. This automatically shows you are punctual and considerate of other’s time and is a great impression to make in the workplace.

Making Sure Writing Utensils, Chargers, Misc. Items Are Accessible

I speak from experience when I say this. Make sure you always have your computer charger, phone charger, and a writing utensil and paper nearby. Unfortunately, I have been on hour long calls where my computer has died right when I was about to speak and I am left literally scrambling to find my charger, plug my computer in, and log back on. Not only is this embarrassing for me, it’s also disruptive to others on the call and it’s easily avoidable. It also causes unnecessary stress for me and makes it difficult for me to pick up where I left off effortlessly.

In addition, there might be times when your computer freezes or Microsoft Word is unresponsive while you’re taking notes. During this time, someone might mention an important action item that you need to document and having a pen and paper handy is perfect for saving the day in this moment. While you might be able to use your phone take notes on some instances, you should never save confidential client information or personal data in a non work approved device. Being prepared by having a computer charger and a writing set-up alleviates this error. The less you have to scramble during these emergency situations, the better you can quietly resolve them without anyone else on the call knowing what’s going on.

Maintaining Consistent Eye Contact

Now, this is a tricky one. Some might argue that video chat does not require strong eye contact, but I’m here to stay otherwise. When you’re at work, you can grab lunch with someone, stop by their desk and ask about their weekend, or pop in to ask a question. In a remote work environment, these organic check-ins don’t occur as easily. Therefore, your video calls are essentially acting as a stand-in for this moments, which is why it’s so important to appear engaged and as an active listener. If you’re scrolling through a website or checking your phone or simply just looking off in a different direction on a call, this can be misinterpreted as being rude. It can also accustom you to constantly multi-task on important calls as well. In order to get the most “bang for your buck”, give your calls your full attention and showcase this strong eye contact with the camera. It might feel awkward at first, but on video, it’ll translate differently.

Final Thoughts

I am incredibly passionate about encouraging women to succeed in their professional careers. While video chats might not be the norm for every career field, it’s certainly becoming more and more common to have a video call for a variety of different occasions. Next time you log online and want to leave a strong impression, follow these tips and check back for Part 2!

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had a creative spirit. Growing up, I would make enormous magazine collages across my bedroom wall that I would add to throughout the year and sit next to my dad with my colored pencils while I tried to mimic his artistic capabilities in my own drawings. In high school, I used my graphic design skills to design promotional material for my school’s art department and even designed my own campaign posters when I ran for student body President. In college, I pursued my liberal arts degree with gusto and did a variety of extracurriculars to fuel this side of my heart. I was a lead in my first theatre production as a college freshman, I was a news anchor for the local alternative music radio station, I competed in pageants and designed my talent costumes and performances, I wrote for an online publication called “The Lala” and covered influential pop culture moments, and I was constantly attending musicals and shows. (I almost got kicked out of a production of Legally Blonde because I literally could not stop myself from singing along. Whoops.)

In short, I loved doing things that pushed me out of my comfort zone, allowed me to work on my verbal and written voice across various mediums, and gave me the opportunity to design or create something from scratch. As I transitioned to the “real world” and focused on my career in corporate America, I found these creative opportunities happened less and less. While I channeled this energy towards my virtual communications (I design fun email invitations and newsletters), my apartment decor, and my fashion sense, I always toyed around with the idea of creating my own brand.

For years, and I mean years, I scrolled online and watched others cultivate their voice and their story virtually. I pinned over 2,000 pins on Pinterest, saved and archived hundreds of Instagram posts that inspired me, and this little seed in the back of my brain stayed present but not active. It was only in quarantine of March 2020 that I finally decided to just go for it and create a WordPress account. What I didn’t know was that I was about to embark on a deeply personal journey that would stall any opportunity to work on things that were outside of my immediate level of daily upkeep.

Nearly seven months and a newly healed mindset and heart later, I nervously logged back online into WordPress. I had a new vision, a new drive, and a new found love for my creative spirit again. As I pondered what this little corner of the internet was intended to do, I reflected on what I loved about my favorite influencers and content creators. For me, it was the older sister gene. You know, maybe she was the oldest sister of a friend growing up or the effortless senior in your sorority or the cool older girl in your college class that passed down handy advice and made you understand things so you didn’t feel so clueless all the time. The influencers I felt myself consistently drawn to were a community of relatable, educated, witty, fashionable, and honest women that shared their life experiences and advice. It was the kind of women that I would’ve aspired to have had as an older sister at different points in my life.

With this in mind, I decided to cultivate my blog focused on encouraging and inspiring women to seek personal empowerment, professional development, and the luxurious life that happens in between. I wanted to create a space where I could talk about my experiences, my do’s and don’ts, and my overall perspective on things. This unique blend of the personal, the professional, and luxurious is important to me because I believe in the active pursuit of these three elements to create a beautiful and balanced life.

In terms of content, sometimes you’ll find light hearted advice or guidance on certain life stages or daily moments. Sometimes, these blog posts are catered after conversations I’ve had with my younger brother and sister. Sometimes, they’re catered after the conversations I wish I could’ve had with my younger self. At the end of the day, my words aspire to be thoughtful and made with good intentions. Over the last few months, I have worked hard on designing my website, brand, and vision to reflect a valuable and thoughtful experience.

Welcome to The Bolet Collective. I’m so happy you’re here.

Inspirational Speeches by Petite Women

This is a classic video that I have used as audio inspiration before every job interview. I’m not sure why, but the short soundbites of some of my favorite actresses and entertainers paired with the background instrumental music always opens a different headspace for me. Each one is uniquely different in the causes they advocate for, but still uniformly passionate and driven to share their perspective.

“Education is a privilege and a luxury and not a birthright, like it should be, like it is here. So I say to you, use that right, take it and maximize it. That great opportunity that education is, make the most of it. As we speak in Colombia, there is a little girl dreaming a dream, like I used to be, that for her today may be unattainable, but tomorrow, maybe because of you, it will be possible.” – Shakira

I always get chills during that piece and it truly makes me take ownership over the opportunities that are presented to me and the opportunities I will continue to carve out for myself. This was especially relevant during those long hours at the undergraduate library chugging away for finals. Despite the challenges that pursuing higher education brought on, I always stayed grounded and motivated by the opportunities that were presented to me and the fact that I needed to take advantage of them.

I was once afraid of people saying who does she think she is. Now I stand up and say, this is who I am. – Oprah Winfrey

It is incredibly humbling to know that such a well established global leader came from origins of self doubt and grew to believe in her own power and strength. How many times have we talked ourselves out of something for fear of what others might think or say? It can be so easy to count ourselves out of opportunities because we’re scared of what the perception of others might look like. However, I believe in taking ownership over our decisions and carving out our own reality. That confidence in your own sense of self translates to others around you and becomes the foundation for you to keep pursuing what makes you happy, despite what others may think.

It also truly resonated with me because it can be easy to feel out of place or to get imposter syndrome in a fast paced, corporate environment. However, this quote reminds me that my career is a transformation and I will continually be building and growing into the woman I want to be. It also empowers me to take ownership over my space, over my voice, and over my talents and to become my own biggest advocate. There is no room to be waiting for someone else to recognize your light, you deserve to be your own lighthouse.

When The Little Things Count, 601 Essential Things That Everyone in Business Needs to Know by Barbara Patcher

I picked this little book up on a whim at a Goodwill several years ago. Since then, it had always sat in my bookcase in my childhood bedroom and I never truly looked at it. However, before my job started, I was eager to prepare for my role and decided to give it a read.

I truly believe everyone needs to read this when starting their first job and then continue reading it throughout her career. True to its nature, this book contains 601 different tips and tricks to managing the workspace across a variety of different settings and professional milestones. Whether it tackles topics about handling technology professionally, establishing your professional presence, or building work relationships, this book feels like the inside scoop on the business environment and gave me a strong starting confidence when starting my first job.

This book does not require you to read it chronologically, therefore, it’s the perfect read to throw in your purse and pick up on a long Uber ride or train. You can skip through various sections and topics without feeling like you’re missing any information that was discussed before. Do keep in mind that the book itself was written before certain technological advancements occurred in the workplace. However, I still think the bulk of the read has timeless elements that translate to a modern day work environment.

Secrets of Wealthy Women by The Wall Street Journal Podcast

This is an incredibly insightful podcast from the Wall Street Journal that interviews influential female entrepreneurs and leaders where they share their financial insights, career advice, and tips on how to reach your goals and achieve professional success. 

This podcast interviews everyone from the NYX Comesmetics founder Toni Ko to Naomi Hirabayshi, a Goldman Sachs managing director, to personal finance experts. What I find particularly compelling about this series is the inside scoop on their lives, their struggles, and their overall path to success. Sometimes, we just get the highlight reel and the final product of someone’s path to entrepreneurship, but this series truly focuses on the various nuances that can shape someone’s career from the start across a variety of industries.

Final Thoughts

Starting a new stage in your professional career can sometimes be a daunting task to take on. However, these four resources are my key areas of inspiration and guidance that I lean on whenever I need that support or drive to put myself out there, pursue my goals, and strive for self-advocacy in the workplace.