Tag Archives: My Freshman Year of Life

Empowering Quotes from President Barack Obama’s Farewell Speech For Everyday Situations.

Posted in Empowerment by

I know I wasn’t the only one sobbing couple a of nights ago while watching POTUS’s farewell speech. Although his speech was a reel of his accomplishments he didn’t shy away from discussing the obstacles he faced while in office.  Regardless of your political standpoint there were a lot of takeaways from his speech that can be used for everyday life situations. Check it out.

When you’re complaining about the youth not respecting their elders but you won’t get involved in your community or mentorship programs.

“Change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it.”

img_1067

When your business plan fails and you’re ready to give up at your first attempt.

For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back. But the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all, and not just some.

img_1068

When you’re tired of internet trolls.

“If you’re tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try to talk with one in real life.

img_1073

When you’re judging your aunty’s fucked up husband.

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view until you climb into his skin and walk around in it

ms-gderbf

When you’re aware that nobody got your back more than your ride or die.

“Every day, I learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.”

ms-45go1r

Are You an Employedpreneur?

Posted in MUSE: Food For Thought by

Employedpreneur [em-ploid – pruh-nœr] : An ambitious professional who undertakes launching or running a business while working a full-time job.

This past weekend I caught up with a friend of mine. As we conversed, I asked her about work, expecting to hear the usual…“it’s going well.” Instead she told me, how she’s been putting additional hours towards building her own business. Yes you read right, after clocking 9- 5 making somebody else’s dream come true, she’s putting the extra effort to pursue hers.

Recently, I’ve noticed the same pattern amongst my peers when I browse my social media newsfeeds; from personal trainers, hair stylists, make up artist, photographers, public relations consultants, millennials are actively pursuing their passion while also being employed. With an unstable economy, millennials are tapping into finding their passion and making it their “Side Hustles”.   For some a 9-5 is  being used as a fundraising mechanism to pursue their passion. With that being said here are a few tips for being  an Employdtrepeneur.

Be Organized

Whatever it takes, post it notes, journals, reminders on your phone, get yourself organized.

Do Research

Find out as much as you can about the industry you’re planning to get into. Once you have a great amount of information, draw out the big picture and tackle each task individually.

Keep It To Yourself

People talk, and most of the time they have nothing beneficial to say. Unless you have a group of people you trust or are experts in the field you’re planning to delve into, the world doesn’t need to know.

“Work Hard in silence and let success make the noise.”

Don’t Procrastinate

It will be challenging but don’t give up. I don’t know about you but if I decide to put off task that I’m supposed to do today for tomorrow, my subconscious is constantly reminding me about it.

Don’t give up

Remind yourself of the reasons that got you started in the first place. As one of my mentors mentioned, it will be downright unbearable, you will get upset and even cry, but the results will all be worth it.

Pray about it

Consistency, Determination and Hard work with a sprinkle of prayer leads to positive results.

Let me know how you are managing being an Employtrepreneur.

IMG_7943-1.PNG

On the Rise: Sheryl A. Gauntlett

Posted in On The Rise by

Industry: Television

Hats:  Founder of Antoinette Productions/ Executive Assistant to Director, Stan Lathan on BET’s “Real Husbands of Hollywood”

School: Fairleigh Dickinson University

Major: BA, Communication, MA, Media and Professional Communications.

Sheryl A. Gauntlett

Sheryl A. Gauntlett

For many college students, the summer season is the perfect time for seizing internship opportunities. While a paid job has immediate, tangible benefits, an internship also hold the possibility for yielding positive, long-term outcomes. Whether you’re hoping to gain practical work experience before heading into the professional world, or a freshman looking to add work experience to your résumé, an internship is the perfect option.

For Sheryl Gauntlett, the summer season was strictly designated for internships; in fact, she spent every summer of her undergraduate and graduate career interning at various production companies in the Tri- State area. However, it was Sheryl’s third internship at The Martha Stewart Show that jump started her television production career. She was immediately hired at the end of her internship to become a freelance production assistant for the show and the rest was history. Read more on Sheryl’s internship journey below.

Tell me about your background.

I am currently the Executive Assistant to Director Stan Lathan on BET’s “Real Husbands of Hollywood.”  My interest in arts and entertainment started very young.  At the age of four, I was enrolled at The Princeton Ballet School. While in high school, I participated in plays and went as far as applying to acting school afterwards. However, I decided that coming to Fairleigh Dickinson University would be a better fit, because of the financial assistance, but also because of the commute to the city, giving me the opportunity to still audition and pursue my dreams. When you look at it, acting is ageless.  During my collegiate career at FDU, I fell in love with the production side of entertainment. That caused me to further look into internship opportunities during the summer. From being a receptionist, to being an assistant accountant, to being a travel coordinator, to doing talent coordinating, to being a production assistant, I have delved in a lot of responsibilities that have led me into a successful career track in the television industry.

What are some things that you’ve learned during an internship that has helped you in your career?

For me, it was learning the systematic nature of the industry.  Witnessing the behind-the-scenes work required to have a show was an eye opener for me. Also, learning about the sectors in television that I could go into was impressive.

My advice for anyone looking to be in the entertainment industry is to remember to budget every time you have a gig because everything is project based. Periodic unemployment is guaranteed within the earlier years of your career in television.

How do you keep in touch with your professional network?

It depends on how I met the person and the type of relationship I have with them. In the entertainment industry, during off season, it’s a great idea to set a time up, whether it’s lunch or a dinner, to catch up with your colleagues. Usually, during the conversation they will mention a project they are working on or whether or not their company is hiring. LinkedIn is another great tool that I use to keep in touch with my past co-workers. “Every job that I got was because of someone I met from the previous one.”

What are 3 tips you want to share with current interns?

1. Build a relationship with the entry-level employees.

If they have been there for a while, when it’s time to move up the ladder or leave the company, they might give you a heads up about an open position

2. Be on time and be available to help.

At times, when working an unpaid internship, many people tend to clock the least amount of hours and not volunteer for anything that is not in the job description. This approach is a common way to be unnoticed, and perhaps miss out on being considered for a full-time job opportunity. If you are passionate about your work and craft, pursue it and give it your all whether it is paid or not. This is the time to prove you can perform in the field. You want to work so hard that they wish they were paying you with something other than college credit

3. Remember to be gracious and courteous.

Quick story: on the last day of my internship, my co-workers and I baked cookies and made a yearly calendar with our pictures on it. At the time money was tight, so we wanted to be remembered but also wanted to show how much we appreciated the opportunity to work there. Our colleagues loved their personalized gifts. Within a few months of our internship ending and us graduating, each of us got a call to work for the company in some capacity.

If you were to write a letter to your younger self about being successful in your career, what would you say?

Truthfully, I don’t know what I would say. I wouldn’t want to change anything about my past professional experience. All the mistakes, decisions that I’ve made have led me to where I am now.

Stay connected with Sheryl

Website| LinkedIn| Twitter| Instagram