Two Reasons Why It's Okay To Not Have a Career Post College

You did it. You accomplished something that many people in their lifetime won't ever achieve: a college diploma. All the blood, sweat, and tears {oh and some partying..hehe} got you to the finish line and now you have your degree behind you.

Now what?

Most people in their last year of college start to draft their resumes and even some begin to send them out in hopes of landing their dream job. It's a competition all over again as you and your friends shoot off resumes every day hoping to be the one to say you won the prize. But, here is something real to think about: when are you going to live a little? Society has lead us to believe that we need to stay on a timeline: college, career, marriage, children. While this timeline is a great sketch, this shouldn't be the blueprint to your life. Here are 2 reasons why it's okay to not have a career post college:

1) Do You Really Know What You Want?

If you're like us, then you probably reconsidered your major about 5 times during your college experience. Some settle on a degree that is logical or somewhat close to their field of interest. But, the fact that you had doubts and changed your mind all those times shows that you're still in the exploration stage. 3-4 years of your life in school studying does not always immediately translate to the ultimate career. It's okay to explore post college too. Take on a stepping stone job! What we mean by that is, take a baby step approach toward looking for a career by taking on little jobs that allow you to get a feel of what you're looking for. For example, if you want to be an actress, start off by working behind the scenes of a TV Show or play. Get to know the ins and outs of the area you're interested in before you make a deep dive. Don't be so prideful when it comes to money. With more experience eventually the money will come. Humble yourself so you can get a wide view of the career you think you will want down the road. Co-Founder, Karen did just that post college when she took on a Medical Sales Training Program. Ten months after the program she was placed into a Medical Sales position and felt very comfortable with the role because she had taken ten months to learn the ins and outs about it.

2) When Will You Live Up Your 20s?

Yeah, sure you probably partied in college, but that's a different type of "living it up". Going to college class every day and sticking your nose in a book most of the time doesn't fully allow you to live up your youth. Your twenties are such a monumental period in your life. You really do have the rest of your life to have a career and start a family so why not have an extended period of "me" time. Boy will you learn a lot about yourself too! EXPLORE. Travel to a different country. Live in a different city. Learn a new language. Train for a competition. Learn how to live on your own. Going from school right into a career job takes away from self-exploration at such a pivotal time in our lives. Live up your twenties while you can before all of the responsibilities that will engulf you for the rest of your life takeover. Put this into perspective: For U.S. men, the average life expectancy is 76, while it's 81 for U.S. women (source). When focusing on marriage the average age a women gets married is 27 years old and for a man, 29 (source). Now, let's insert the average age a women gives birth to her first child, which is 30 years old (source). This means that assuming you graduate around 22 years old, the average college-graduate has 5 years to themselves before they spend the rest of their life married with children to tend to. 

Why not spend those 5 years or more building yourself up and learning more about yourself? 

If you are anxious about finding a career job, slow down, and just take it day by day. Creating yourself and identifying a career with your passion takes more than just a degree. Enjoy your post college experience-you won't regret it. 

A Working Girl's Wardrobe Staples

heels, handbag, shirt {photo}

With summer peeking right around the corner, that means a few things:  graduation, internships, and job interviews.  Before you land that awesome internship, you will want to "wow" them with your fabulous resume... but dressing the part certainly doesn't hurt either.

So, how exactly does one dress for success?  In a laid-back or creative workplace, the fine line between "business casual" and inappropriate may be tricky for those who are uncertain.  In a more formal office, professional attire is a must at all times.  No matter how you slice it, some general rules of thumb should be taken into consideration:

• Too short?  Too tight?  If you're questioning it, then pass.
• Necklines: the best amount of cleavage is no cleavage.  Do you have to adjust the shirt (i.e. pull it up so it's not too low)?  If the answer is yes, change your top.
• Wear conservative & classy heels.  Save your platform booties for Friday night.
• Look polished, but not "made up".  Keep makeup and hair natural & fresh.
• Save the heavy perfumes for your personal time.  It's considerate to keep fragrance to a minimum in the workplace, to be mindful of those with allergies.

As 20-somethings ourselves, we had to make the transition from fun "party clothes" to "professional clothes" once we graduated college.  Yes, our wardrobes underwent the big girl makeover.  Yet knowing the right key pieces to purchase makes the process easier on both you & your wallet!  Here's a few of our favorite essentials:

• Classy pumps.  Choose a closed toe style, in either nude or black.  The heel should not be too high, and there should be no platform beneath the toe.  We love {these} from BCBGeneration!
• Black dress pants.  These should hit at your waist, and not fit too tight.  Your first pair should be seasonless; do not pick a fabric like wool or linen.  Get something you can wear year round!
• A black blazer.  Bonus points if this matches your black pants... you have a suit!  A blazer can be paired with anything; from shift dresses to jeans on casual Friday.
• Button down shirts.  Get the basic colors first: white, black, and blue or grey.  From there, feel free to add in some fun color or patterned options!  Make sure that the shirt buttons all the way up without "pulling" anywhere-- in which case, it's too tight.  Move your arms and "hug" your body when trying them on.  Can you move easily?  If it's too stiff, go up a size.  The Portofino Shirt from Express is one of our favorites!
• A pencil skirt.  Choose a staple color for your first one: black, grey, or navy.  The skirt should hit just below the knee, and you should be able to move easily in it.
• A polished handbag.  Find a handbag that has clean & timeless lines.  A structured bag is always a great choice!  Find a color that compliments your work wardrobe.  You can't go wrong with black or tan, but don't be afraid to try a color such as cobalt blue!  We love {this} one from Michael Kors!
• A shift dress.  The idea is something that "fits" without being too revealing or too fitted.  Consider something with a high neckline, for lots of versatility.  Calvin Klein makes great work dresses, and they often times can be found at discount stores! 

With the right pieces, you can mix & match each day!  Trust us-- investing in a few timeless staple items is worth your while.  We even shop at places like TJ Maxx to find office appropriate pieces for a great price!  From there, you can add on to your "working girl" wardrobe in the years to come.  It's best to look polished, and feel comfortable in the clothing you wear.  After all, the right attire helps you to exude confidence!

TSS Favorite Things {March}

Sakura- Watch | Makeup Bag | Sunglasses

Ali- Scissors | Book | Card

Karen- Book | Heels | Makeup Brush

It's officially Spring today and we are so excited to share some of our favorite items of this month!  Spring is filled with traveling, pool parties, and so many fun activities!  Karen has been busy traveling non-stop, Ali recently moved into a new office space (check out her new office here!), and Sakura is anxious for pool season!  Check out some of our favorite items of this month!

Woman Crush Wednesday!

From Mardis Gras to March Madness, St. Patrick’s Day to the start of Lent, March is a month packed with activities and holidays. One detail that tends to get lost in the excitement is that March is also Women’s History Month! As a sorority woman myself, I can’t help but take notice of any opportunity to celebrate strong and empowering women. In honor of this month, here are three young new celebs that are making media history:

Jennifer Lawrence – Quirky, raw, and ambitious – what’s not to love about JLaw!? This spitfire has made a name for herself over the past year, from the release of the newest Hunger Games to being nominated for her third Oscar for American Hustle……and, of course, tripping at the award show for the second time. But what we love most about Jen is her uncanny ability to keep us laughing and show that she is a genuine person. Through her wacky interviews and her love for junk food, JLaw has got us hooked!

Miley Cyrus – Okay, I know what you’re all thinking….Miley Cyrus, really? Although I do agree that her twerk enhanced, tongue-tastic antics aren’t the best example of feminine power, there is something to be said about a woman that is this fearless. It takes a strong person to be able to handle the scrutiny of the media, while still being true to themselves. Through the judgment of millions, Miley has proven to be an entertainment powerhouse, and eludes a sense of self-confidence that girls and women should aspire to have.

Ariana Grande – Quite possible Miley’s polar opposite, Ariana Grande is making her mark in music through sheer vocal talent. The petite crooner first appeared in the music scene in 2013 with her single “The Way,” and made an impression with her performance of her song “Tattooed Heart” at the 2013 Grammy’s. She’s a little girl with a big voice and an adorable 50’s style that isn’t going anywhere!

Workspace Chic with Office Depot/See Jane Work: Ali's Picks!

For us, a creative workspace means a happy workspace.  Being in an environment that provides inspiration keeps the creative juices flowing while you're working away!  When TSS Co-Founder Ali moved in to her new office, she was excited to decorate & get organized with her finds from Office Depot & See Jane Work.  Practical items with a feminine and colorful touch?  Sign us up! 

Ali fell in love with the black and white patterned items-- from polka dots to stripes.  She picked bright white as the backdrop for her space, so these two patterns fit the color scheme perfectly!  The striped Letter Sorter & Magazine File added interest to the corner of her desk... not to mention, they're great for organization!  Both items hold papers and small notebooks with stylish ease.  Even the little Pink Notecards find a home in the Letter Sorter.  Hey, you gotta send those thank you notes!

Those highlighters pack a punch... they're smudge-proof!  We've never seen a highlighter like this one before.  Another practical item is Binder Clips, and we fell for these sweet little pink ones-- complete with a bow on top.  Binder clips have certainly never been this cute before!  The polka dot Business Notebook keeps things together with an elastic band, and is great to grab for notes on the run.  Sticky Notes are always handy, and these ones felt special in the Lavender color.  Got a quick note to save for later?  The polka dot Flip Book Notebook will do the trick.

Two of Ali's favorite items are the White Stapler and White Tape Dispenser.  She loved the clean and simple lines, and of course the chic white color it was offered in!  Both items fit right in with the decor, and make for nice looking (and useful!) desk accessories.

Binders and Padfolios are an office staple, and Ali couldn't resist the ones with the polka dot pattern.  The Padfolio is one of our top picks... clipboard on top, and a legal size notebook fits neatly inside.  It's a great item for meetings, and for jotting down notes on the go.

We're constantly making "To-Do" Lists.  Seriously, who can live without one?!  When Ali saw this pink To Do Sticky Notepad, she had to have it.  It's a lifesaver for daily tasks, complete with spots to check items off as you go.  Naturally, Ali thought that Pink Pens to match her notepad would be a nice touch!

We love how Ali's office space came together with her finds from Office Depot & See Jane Work.  Big thank you to everyone at Office Depot for helping her creative space come to life.  With these finds, we've discovered that there's no need to be bland... practical office supplies can have style too!

So, are you inspired to go shopping?  You're in luck!  Check out our Coupon for $10 off your purchase of $50 from See Jane Work.  Hurry, it's valid through the end of March!

Check out the entire See Jane Work collection here!

*Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Office Depot, however, all views and opinions are solely that of The Sorority Secrets.

Benefits of Plant Based Diet!

Recently health and wellness has been trending.  And thank goodness, as it is high time that healthy eating habits and exercise replace fast food chains and quick fix diet fads.  Among the trending health topics is the plant based diet.  As a nutritionist, this is how I personally choose to eat.  Instead of cutting certain foods out entirely like the vegetarian or vegan diets, this is simply making the majority of what you eat whole, unprocessed, plant based foods.  The benefits of eating in such a way are numerous, and it is incredibly easy to do.

Research has shown that by simply incorporating more vegetables, fruits, beans, peas, lentils, whole grains, nuts, and seeds into your diet can help you prevent and even reverse many of the top health issues people are facing today.  Adding in more of these whole natural foods in your diet will mean more nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, healthy fats, and fiber.  It also will also mean less room for damaging fat, preservatives, chemicals, and refined sugars, all of which are linked to serious health problems.

Your body needs the nutrients and vitamins found in food to survive, it uses them as fuel for every single function it performs.  Chemicals, preservatives, and damaging fats only serve to bog down your system, and add unnecessary work for your body as it tries to detoxify itself from these foreign substances.  Eliminating these things from your diet will free up much of your body's energy for daily use, rather than detoxifying.  On top of that, every single one of your cells are being replaced over time, and the food you eat is what those new cells are made of.  That Big Mac doesn't sound so good now, does it?

And contrary to common misconception, on a whole, vegans actually have healthier bones, higher blood protein levels, and less nutritional deficiencies than omnivores.  It is possible to get all the protein and calcium you need from a vegan or plant based diet.

In case you need more reasons to consider a plant based diet:

Lose excess fat

Reduce cholesterol

Reduce risk or help treat diabetes

Reduce inflammation

Healthier gut flora

More energy

Improve cognition

Control weight

Slow aging

Gain muscle

Reduce risk for cancer

Natural detoxification

Better sleep

Healthier intestinal transit

Clearer skin

Boost immune system

Reduce risk for heart disease

Just remember that you put into your body directly translates into your health.  You are what you eat, literally.  Food can either be the best form of medicine, or the slowest form of poison.  Bon appetite!

Katie Dean Jewelry {Giveaway}

 

               

On Sakura: Feather Ring | Grace Ring | One Love Rings On Karen: Arrow Ring | Say Your Prayers Hand Chain On Ali: Initial Necklace-Gold | Arrow Ring | Feather Ring

If you haven't seen or heard of Katie Dean Jewelry then you might want to jump on this train. We first found out about Katie Dean Jewelry through Lea Michele's Instagram. She was rocking the cutest piece of hand jewelry we had ever seen! We had to know just where she got it. Turns out, Lea Michele wasn't the only one who loved Katie Dean Jewelry. Several different stars like Kendall and Kylie Jenner and other famous celebs around LA had already caught on to the amazing jewelry that is Katie Dean Jewelry. So what makes her jewelry so unique? Everything. Think bohemian, earthy designs mixed with a feminine dainty twist. When you look at KDJ's pieces, you're looking at a piece of art. Each piece of jewelry has a one of kind flair to it. We have a thing for midi rings right now and KDJ offers the best midi ring designs like the Arrow Ring and the Feather Ring. Karen had been searching high and low for a hand chain and fell in love with the Say Your Prayers gold hand chain from KDJ--like Katie said, it's so amazing that you don't want to take it off. In fact, all of her jewelry you just don't want to take off.

Do you want to experience what all the hype is with KDJ's fab jewelry pieces? We have a special giveaway for you! The Sorority Secrets + Katie Dean Jewelry have teamed up to offer one winner their very own jewelry piece from the Katie Dean Jewelry collection. One winner will receive their choice of any piece of KDJ jewelry that is $50 or less. This is an Instagram giveaway and here are the official rules of entry:

1. You must be a US resident (this giveaway is not offered to those outside of the US).
2. You must read and agree to The Sorority Secrets' Contest/Giveaway Disclaimer.
3. Follow @katiedeanjewelry on Instagram
4. Comment on The Sorority Secrets' Katie Dean Jewelry Giveaway picture on Instagram telling us where you would wear her jewelry if you won. 

The contest ends on 3/28 at 11:59 PM PST and the winner will be notified via Instagram. Thanks and good luck!!