Map Your Career

Career mapping you say? Don't mind if I do. Although I am not a finance major, I am here to inform you all about this cool online website that will help you map your way! Finance is woven into every job opportunity and they even need marketing, IT, and human resource people in the financial industry.

The quiz was created by the CFA Institute and a student marketing agency. This offers career options, instead of specific recommendations. (Like one time when Ali took a career test and it told her she would be a great funeral director). CFA has created a quiz different than the one we took in middle school that gives us more insight.

The quiz asks questions about leadership, creativity, communication, etc. In the end after answering the ten questions, I was presented with an answer. Research analyst. Funny that should be my answer, really. With my summer internship I will be doing some of the duties of a research analyst. A quick section of the summary read, "Common sense, commercial savvy and an ability to take a view and argue your case against challenges are also valuable qualities." That's always nice to hear. Thanks, survey.

If you want to see some insight into career opportunities, financial or not, take a look at the quiz. You know you would click on it if it was on Buzzfeed about "Which 80's Song Are You?" or "Which Character From Mean Girls Are You?"

You can find it by clicking on this link.

Take the few minutes to take the quiz, it is worth it!

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise

From elementary education to journalism, my life in this past year has been quite the journey. One year ago I was enrolled in elementary education classes at Ole Miss. I was making lessons plans for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs for my second grade class. I had no idea what was about to come.

At the end of May 2013 I realized I wasn't going to allow myself anymore to think about my "second life." Why only dream when I could make these dreams my reality?

I switched all my classes to meet the journalism school requirements and planned to visit Oxford to meet with an advisor. I went from learning about early literacy to journalism 101. After I made that jump and trusted in the Lord that this is exactly where I was supposed to be, the blessings kept pouring out.

I applied for and accepted an internship with Hello Perfect and began my journey with them as a contributing writer. I loved all of my fall semester classes in the journalism building and then reached out on a limb to apply for the Teen Vogue Fashion University weekend in October in New York, which I found out about through the founder of Hello Perfect.

Patience. One word I am not good with. Teen Vogue Fashion U was one of the only events I applied for and never thought about again. I didn't over analyze every step or already plan out my trip in my mind. That's why when my acceptance email came I was incredible overjoyed. Through prayers and not planning, the Lord provided for me to attend TVFU along with five of my best friends.

"And so it was, that [she], having waited long and endured patiently, realized and obtained what God had promised" Hebrews 6:15 

It was there that I had no idea how much my life would change. When signing up for my seminars for TVFU I had no idea who DANNIJO was, but they sounded cool. I liked the idea that they were two sisters working together and I like jewelry, so I thought, "Sure I'll sign up for your seminar."

Immediately I was drawn to Danielle and Jodie & I loved everything they said during the seminar. I knew I would fit in with them. Who would have thought that three/four months later I would be accepting an internship with them. How cool is this series of events?! Everything is linked together!

Last week was incredible & I received a "God wink" almost every day. I got offered other internships and interview opportunities, I am a new campus ambassador for Intern Queen, received a few cool emails from people in New York that I'm going to be able to meet, and to top it off, I was published in the Daily Mississippian this morning. Needless to say, I was on cloud nine. I found my head growing a little bigger.

What I needed to be reminded of is that without Jesus, none of these things would have been possible.

The Lord has humbled me through all of these experiences & they have taught me a lot. It is in my nature to want to run around saying, "Hey look who just emailed me back!" or send a tweet broadcasting my internship offers. My life would not be woven together like this without my daily strive (and struggle) to follow Jesus and believe that He has control of my life, not myself.

"...My cups overflows with your blessings" Psalm 23:5

In high school when I thought I was actively pursuing the Lord I thought I made all the decisions. Obviously you can see how wrong that was because I was settling with the idea that I was supposed to be a teacher for the rest of my life. Once I actively began pursuing the Lord and seeing where He led me, I have been overwhelmed with incredible opportunities. Don't get me wrong, every day I stumble and fail, but the Lord is always so faithful.

The glory does not go to me though. The glory goes to God. Without Him, I would never have gotten this far. I would still be student teaching and sulking to my classes. I have to remind myself every day that it is enough that I know these things about myself and to thank God every single second of the day for providing for me and putting these desires in my heart.

This morning, with the Daily Mississippian in my hand and the sun shining on my face, I was remind of the song lyrics, "Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise" from Blessed Be Your Name. Everything clicked and I had to share this experience with all of you. Also, I can't wait to see that Jesus has in store for all of you! It makes me giddy and excited.

Without Jesus none of these things would be possible. I've learned that there is no way I can control my life. I can't make plans because the plans have already been made. Through this I challenge myself to turn every blessing into praise. (see how we came full circle there?)

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" Ephesians 3:20

Home is where the heart is

"I'll go home," I said. "I'll save money and get together my things for New York," I said.

Upon my arrival to sweet Franklin, Tennessee on Thursday night I was overjoyed. I hadn't seen my family in two months and it felt like an eternity. Somewhere in the back of my mind I thought, it sure would be nice to be sitting on a beach with a drink in my hand, but I knew this trip home is exactly what I needed.

My family is a funny pack. We've got my fourteen year old sister who is always moving, bouncing, cheering, eating and asking if she can play with my hair. My mother who is overwhelmingly caring and loving & making sure I am getting enough to eat since I'm the only one in the family who is a vegetarian. My dad who is always making me laugh, the life of the party and serving me delicious dinners.

Basically, there is never a dull moment at my house. Some of my friends never want to go home. They're always planning and saying they don't miss their family. How could you not miss these goons?

My eleven days at home were perfect. In the mornings while everyone was away, I woke up whenever I wanted, read my Bible and drank my coffee, watched Gilmore Girls reruns and scrolled through Pinterest.

In the afternoon I would venture to my grandma's, walk around downtown Franklin, travel to different Forever21 and Target stores, and lay out in my backyard. Around 3 p.m. everyone returned home and I'd never been so happy to see their faces. I love "me time" but it sure was nice to be reunited with my people every afternoon.

We did things like attend Centennial High School's incoming freshman night where I was walking through the halls with memories rushing through my mind. I was actually giddy and much, much happier to be there than my sister. We also went to the Poplar Grove talent show, which was as comical as you can imagine. A bunch of middle schoolers showcasing their talents of singing and dancing. Dinners at LaHacienda are a must and you better believe I ate fried pickles at 55 South while people watching.

As much as I want to take an adventure after college, move away and explore, I do love my little corner of the world. Falling asleep just a few steps away from the people I love the most. It's a hard choice and when it comes down to it, we will see.

I'm grateful for living in this town for my almost 21 years of life.

 Franklin Mercantile to begin Kendall's spring break on Friday

 

 Thanks Kendall for snapping these pics

 I'll always love you, Chipotle.

What I Like Wednesday