After eight months of hard work, determination, a positive attitude, a move halfway across the country and LOTS of networking, I finally landed a great job in Chicago!!!
As of November 30th, I am the new Communications Manager at Standard Parking’s Corporate Headquarters, a publicly traded parking management company with over 16,000 employees. The job will provide an amazing opportunity because I actually get to build a communications department from the ground up. My first task will be to continue work on an internal communications plan, partnering with multiple departments for intranet implementation. Shortly there after, the responsibility expands to more of a marketing and public relations role, while continuing maintenance of internal channels. I’ll also (hopefully) be implementing a social media platform.
It will be a challenging and exciting time, as well as a huge learning experience. I’m in eager anticipation to test the limits of my communications skill set. After five interviews, almost six weeks of waiting and stress galore, I finally heard back with the great news. But, it goes to show that good things do come to those who wait.
Thanks to everyone for their help and encouragement during my “down time.” Your thoughts and kind words really kept me going!
I’m also working on four blog posts simultaneously, so more justinarium content coming soon. Stay tuned!
Sorry I haven’t posted anything in over a week. My hope was to have at least three videos up before now. I haven’t even come close.
I’ve actually been working, and grateful for it. I recently took a part-time job (or at least I thought). Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. It was just my impression that “part-time” meant 10-20 hours a week. I’m scheduled 35 hours this week and 37 hours next week! I also have two freelance jobs I’ve been working on, so needless to say my time has been tight. The paycheck will be nice, though.
Some things of note:
I added an events calendar to my blog. I post marketing and communications networking events, conferences or meetings I feel would help out other job seekers. Check it out and let me know what you think. (P.S. If anyone knows how to embed a Google Calendar into a wordpress.com platform, please send me an email. I couldn’t figure it out.)
Thanks to Apple for making “washing machine-proof” headphones. My heart sank when I opened the washing machine door and found my iPhone headset coiled up in a ball. I don’t recommend trying this out because I felt like I lost my puppy or my favorite toy. I was a little upset earlier that day because I had a conference call and had to listen to it on speaker, rather than on a headset. But, I think I was more mad at myself for being dumb and allowing them to get washed. I thought, “what the hell” and plugged them into my phone. They ended up working like nothing had happened. Even the mic worked. Thanks Apple for making my day. (As an aside, I wonder if Zune headphones would hold up the same way? Perhaps it was a sign to head to Apple store and buy a PowerBook.)
I’ve managed to score a couple of interviews this week for full-time communications positions. Keep your fingers crossed.
Ok, I’ve got lots to do so I’m cutting this short. I wanted to post something for you. The next video’s going to be good. I’m going to discuss Penelope Trunk’s twitter scandal, some job hunting tips and the piece I’m working on for Ragan Communications.
Until next time…
Dear Mr. Grayson and Vanity Fair editors:
I’ve been a fan of your magazine since I was a teenager. I’ve always found your articles are intriguing and your journalism insightful. It evokes thoughtful points of view. I enjoy your magazine because you discuss things in a way mainstream news can’t provide. I also love your fashion spreads, your advertisers and overall ability to market to a certain clientele. Heck, I even know that Madonna graced your cover more than any other person in the magazine’s history! However, I was deeply disheartened when I opened this month’s edition, finding your feature on Levi Johnston, former boyfriend of Bristol Palin.
Honestly, Mr. Grayson, what gives?
This is a guy who impregnated an underage girl, then may or may not have walked away from the relationship. As the tabloids ran to snap photos this past winter, he (or his hired publicists) leveraged the situation to exploit the Palin’s day-to-day activities. I think what hurts is that your magazine endorsed him.
Johnston criticized the Palins for “bringing him into the spotlight” back in April 2008, then in the same exclusive CBS interview, contradicts himself by discussing the family’s activity. He talks little to nothing about himself in your feature – or in any other interview for that matter – probably because there’s nothing to tell (oh, except for his willingness to pose in Playgirl Magazine).
Who’s helping out with the parenting while he’s out at Vanity Fair photo shoots and Tyra Banks interviews? More than that, what will his kid think when he gets older? Will he say, “my dad sold my mom and grandma out.”?
Salon.com’s comments on your recent article sums it up nicely:
The article is a gold mine for those still feasting on the picked-over carcass of Sarah Palin: One can go the trashing-working-women route; the political-scandal route; the please, God, why are we still talking about this family route. But to me, the most conspicuous thing about this article is what’s missing: namely, just about any information about his relationship with Bristol, his relationship with his son, his plans for school, and how he plans to get through it all.
As I question your, “Enquirer-esque” judgment in putting Mr. Johnston in your magazine, I’m a bit hurt by your decision to enable his activity or cast him in such a positive light. Honestly, has he contributed to society? Why does he deserve fame at all, much less a book deal, a movie role or valued space in your esteemed periodical? Shame on you, Mr. Grayson. I’m sure you could have found something more newsworthy or entertaining to write about.