Sometimes I really miss college--the roommate bonding, the clubbing on the weekends, the relief of finishing a giant research paper right before the deadline. After smiling at all the photos from this year's graduates (including some dear friends), I can't help but think about all the tips and "by-the-ways" I wish I could tell them. That's a major reason for this blog post, but I'm also using this time to reflect (as one does when writing anything!). So, to celebrate 12+ mont

You never know to what extent your personal hobbies may affect your career. Flash back to sophomore year of college. Inspired after researching them for a class (and also needing something to put on my resume), I sent an email to a local nonprofit called Friends of Grand Rapids Parks. Intending only to volunteer, I met one of their staff members at Global Infusion for coffee. We discussed volunteer opportunities and my availability over chai, and we were almost finished with

To help out a friend working on an internship project, I volunteered an hour of my time the other day to answer some of his questions related to the finance world. While none of the topics shocked me or needed deep thought, the experience still prompted me to go over my budget and overall financial status (again). And yup, you guessed it: I'm still nervous about making ends meet. I'm 22, and, like many, I grew up in a household where money was tight. I learned to be frugal in

Ebullient: characterized by ebullience; having or showing liveliness and natural enthusiasm. This word beamed at me from the back of my current hangout, get-shit-done-because-I-still-don't-have-wifi spot downtown, North Perk Coffee. I thought it was a perfect way to describe what I feel like when I talk about nonprofits and the people who work with them--you have to have a natural passion for the mission. My unique area of study has allowed me to sample several career paths a