Issue 10 by Forty Magazine

FORTY A community of support

THIS ISSUE How to Better Manage Your Time 5 Start A New Career 7 Locate Your Exit 10 Build Your Side Business 14 Book Review: Equality 13 Volunteer Off the Clock 36 Create Your Own Exec Board 18

EVERY ISSUE Dress for Success Career Spotlights Out of Office Corporate Wellness Break Bites

THE COVER

21 24 38 47 50

Desmond Hunt of Dlores Media Group

ABOUT FORTY Forty Magazine is a digital resource for young professionals. We help recent grads and professionals under 40 build their dream career by covering life on and off the clock.

GRAPHIC DESIGN Morgan Hancock Kelli Esquin

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

KIAN HERVEY Editor & Publisher

Henry Keculah Jr. Renae Flowers Marcedes M Fuller Paris Davis Bola Ibidapo Ashley Hill Geethika Nandam Jasmine Long Cherie Johnson Dev Gillespie Christopher Cripps Calvin Purnell, Jr. Queala Holly Anna Ryan All images sourced from stock photography libraries Unsplash, Pixabay, PicJumbo, Negative Space, and Flickr. Forty Magazine does not won any images used in this publication. Attribution is noted when required.

MANAGING

YOUR TIME There are 168 hours within a given week. That may seem like an eternity on paper, but in reality, your time can evaporate as quickly as the Atlanta Falcons’ lead in Super Bowl 51. How you use your time can ultimately determine how successful you will be in accomplishing your professional and personal goals. Today, I’m going to share some valuable nuggets with you that will help you manage your time better than ever. Together, we’ll make sure your next 24 hours, are your BEST.

1. Make a list of Time Wasters

As with most problem solving, in order to begin managing your time effectively, you must identify the problem before you can find the solution. Most of us struggle with the same demons when it comes to

being distracted. On a sheet of paper, list the things you do daily that may be a waste of your time. Once you’ve done that, list a solution for each problem.

2. Plan Out Your Week

I suggest setting aside about 30 to 45 minutes the Saturday before the next week to complete this exercise. Create a time tracker using Microsoft Excel, designating a cell in your spreadsheet for each hour. Inside each box, write down what you intend to be doing during that timeframe. This activity will help you visualize how you’re using your time.

3. Create a Daily Routine

The best way to manage your time is by creating a daily routine. Begin by listing the things you do each day during your first three hours awake, and

Common Time Wasters and How to Beat Them Social Media • • •

Turn off your notifications Delete the entire application Limit yourself to checking the app a maximum of four times a day

Messenger Systems/Email • • •

Do not login until you finish a task Set your status to “Do Not Disturb” Designate a time to respond

Netflix, Youtube, TV • •

168 HOURS A WEEK

establish a morning routine. Ending your night with a routine can also positively impact your day. Since the light from your phone can make it difficult for one to sleep at night, put your phone away one hour prior to your expected bedtime. (This will also discourage you from scrolling through Twitter or Snapchat while you’re in bed.) Be sure to follow both routines religiously.

4. Create Daily To-Do Lists

A daily to-do list allows you to track your plans and progress for the day and inspires a sense of urgency. You can purchase a to-do list notepad or simply make your own. If you go about the same tasks each day, just make copies of your list. Beside each item, write down how much time you need to complete each

•

Set a time limit for these activities Watch only one sports game a week Only follow up to two TV shows a season

Talkative Coworkers • •

Wear your headphones in the workplace Hold off on conversation until your lunch break

Improptu Events • •

Stick to your daily schedule Limit weekly events

task. You can even make it “fun” by keeping score” of how you did each day. (Were you 10 for 10? Or 5-1?) You can also download a to-do list app like Simple to Do List or Wunderlist on your mobile phone.

5. Review your Weekly Schedule

At the end of the week, review how you made use of your time. Do you see where you can be more efficient? Do any trends stick out? Identify ways that you can maximize your productivity after you leave work, or consider limiting your time wasters. If you are struggling with staying honest with yourself about how you spend your time, find a friend or someone you trust to keep you accountable for staying on track and completing tasks. Consider them your Weekly Review Partner.

6. Listen to a Podcast If you commute to work, consider downloading a podcast show to listen to on your way to and from work. This will allow you to kill two birds with one stone and avoid distractions, social media, or TV late at night. For example, I’m an avid sports junkie. So I listen to my favorite sports related podcasts and talk shows on the way to work. I listen to them in the car, so I don’t have to worry about watching ESPN once I get home. Audible is also helpful for downloading audiobooks or required readings for work and/or school.

7. Manage Your Time via an App I have a number of favorite mobile applications that make it easy to manage my time. Clear assists users with managing their to-do lists and allows you to create separate categories for each list you might have. RescueTime allows you to see how you use your time through an online display. And finally, Timely assists you with tracking how long it takes to complete a task. If adding another app to your phone seems cumbersome, use Google Calendar or iCal to track of your daily schedule. This is especially helpful for avoiding double bookings or conflicts. Whenever you are invited to an event, immediately add it to your phone so it can’t be missed.

8. Think Twice Before You Commit You may have noticed that most high-profile people never stay for the entirety of an event. You can learn from their example. If you are invited to a social event, set a mental timer on how much time you can afford to spend there. Or, if someone invites you to dinner or a concert, consider how many hours you’ll have to put towards the event to have a good time. It’s okay to be selfish and allow an event to change your schedule, so long as you can literally and figuratively afford the time spent.

Henry Keculah, Jr. is the founder and CEO of 4.0 of Growth Productivity Accountability (4.0 GPA). Learn more about the personal development and college counseling services Keculah ad his team offer at 40gpa.com.

S TA R T A NEW CAREER

You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need a large sign or divine intervention to know when to switch careers. Start your way up a new professional ladder with Attorney Renae Flowers. She shares how you can start your climb no matter where you are today.

There is no time like the present to work towards a career goal you have been thinking about for the last few weeks, months, or even years. How the climb looks will differ for everyone, and “the top” is different for each of us. Some of us may want a promotion; some of us may want to change careers entirely. Some of us may want to start our own business, and some of us are somewhere in the middle of these categories. I fall somewhere in the middle. I am an attorney by trade, and after three years of practicing law, I wanted to switch legal fields to practice health law. Although this was not a complete career change, transitioning to a different legal field was still a big switch. Here are some important tips I learned that can also help you get started.

Do Some Heavy Research

No matter which category you fall in, the first step is research. When, or really before, you start your climb, spend time really getting to know more about the move you want to make. You can’t make it to the top if you don’t know how to start climbing. Starting with research allows you to chart a clear path to what you need in order to make your move. But most importantly, research helps you prepare yourself. If you want that promotion, research what your employer typically evaluates. For example, are employee evaluations the most important component, or does your employer look at intangible characteristics like leadership? Research can encompass connecting with others in your field, asking questions, and conducting market research. This is by no means an exhaustive list. The idea is that each of these research tasks will happen in phases. The first phase of my research was reaching out to attorneys who practiced health law and asking them for advice, recommendations, and resources. This research phase was the most valuable part of my journey when I started my climb because these attorneys were helpful in pointing me in the right direction. With that in mind, don’t hesitate to connect with people or be afraid to ask for help. People are almost overwhelmingly willing to share their wisdom from lessons they have learned along the way.

Use What You’ve Learned

Use your discretion to determine what information you gathered in the research phase is important or relevant, but also recognize that you don’t know everything there is to know. This step is about putting the information you gathered from your research to work. In your research, you will have identified common themes that will paint a clearer picture of what you need to best prepare yourself for your climb. A common theme that emerged from my research was that I needed to show prospective employers in field of health law that I was serious about this transition. I did not have internships or clerkships in the field, so I couldn’t just rely on being an attorney to propel me forward. The result was me pursuing an advanced law certification in Health Law & Policy. How you put your information to work will differ from my process of course, but the key is knowing that there is always a next move. You can’t just sit after gathering information; you have to keep climbing.

Tell Yourself, “Yes, I Can.”

When you have a job and are comfortable, you can be hesitant to quit and start your next career because of all the unknown variables. You don’t want to apply for a new position because you don’t have as much experience as other candidates. Someone in your life constantly keeps telling you no. It starts to become easy to think about all the reasons why you shouldn’t switch careers. But ignore them!

Don’t talk yourself out of a new career. Believe in yourself, and don’t be discouraged by a rough start.

There is a reason why you keep thinking about this career move, so don’t talk yourself out of it. You can do the research and gather the information to prepare yourself. Block out the negativity, and remember that you should be your own biggest cheerleader. Once you overcome any initial hesitation, a big part of your journey will be to keep believing in yourself. When you really believe in yourself, you will not be discouraged at the first sign of difficulty. You don’t need a dramatic push or pull to start your new career climb; you can start right now. The unknown can be daunting, and it can be hard to leave something familiar or comfortable, but the reward will be well worth it. With the right preparation and mindset, you can climb a new professional ladder and make it to your top because there is no time like the present. If you keep finding reasons why you can’t or shouldn’t start your climb, you only block yourself from reaching your true career goals.

Renae is a Team Lead Analyst at the US Office for Civil Rights in Washington, D.C. She is currently admitted to practice in Wisconsin, and is pending bar admission for the District of Columbia. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

locate your

EXIT Remembering the exit doesn’t just keep you safe in an emergency. Speaker, Life Coach, and Author Marcedes M Fuller reminds us an exit can build your career.

Let’s face it— at some point in your life you may work at a dead-end job. If you are “fortunate,” it happens at a relatively early age when opportunities for positive change are greater and the risk is minimal. Shweta Khara, a career and job search expert, explains that a “dead-end job is one where you don’t see any opportunity for growth.” Perhaps you do like your job and career of choice, but you’re looking to move up the ladder at a faster pace than our parents and their parents. Or maybe you are like many new entrepreneurs who are leaving the workplace for their own happiness and business adventures. Regardless of your situation, I have the same advice: Locate the exit sign quickly. Although the workplace is an ideal environment to learn what you like, gain experience, and hone a specific set of skill, it also serves as a space where you will find out what you do not like professionally. Keeping the end in sight, or finding the light at the end of the tunnel, is another way to focus on your professional brand at all times. Finding the exit sign sometimes means not taking a higher paying job because it does not fit into your professional vision. It sometimes means taking career risks with limited returns, or taking on a part-time job to pursue your entrepreneurial goals. Whatever the case may be, here are three tips to help you find the exit sign and prepare to move on to the next step in your professional journey.

Find Your Rescuers

One of the first things I learned in elementary school was what to do in case of a fire. Our teachers taught us to be aware of the exit signs in our building and who could help us in the event of an emergency. Treat your professional journey the same. Be aware of your lifelines at your place of employment. Who are the people that will always come to your rescue? Who always seems to protect your interests in the event of an “emergency?” Who would recommend you if you planned on leaving your current job? Ask yourself where do you want to be in the next one, five, or 10 years and if your current place of employment helps you get closer to that vision. Once you have a clear map and exit strategy, everything you do at that place of employment should be directed towards the best end.

Prepare to Exit

When you invest your time in a given space or with certain people, the impact should be evident. There should be noticeable signs that your investment has made a difference. Many evangelicals say that when you attend church, you should never leave out the same way you came in. As your career evangelical, I urge you not to leave work the same way you entered. Get more training, certificates, or whatever education is offered to better yourself. Make sure that you are viewed by your co-workers and management as a leader and expert. Build your skills, knowledge, credentials, and portfolio so that there is no question that you are an essential piece of the team. Once you enhance your skills and portfolio, take a reassessment of your worth and talk with your leaders about compensation. If your current job is no longer a match for your talent, remember to find your rescuers before you exit.

Walk Out the Door

Challenge yourself to be a little drastic with your career moves. Do something different daily to take steps closer to your goal. It is essential to keep your goals in front of you, or as we discussed earlier, to keep the end in mind. When you are conscious of your goals and able to break them down into ordered steps, you will know what you need to do to get where you want to go. Don’t fall into a career trap or stagnation. Use your off time to better position yourself for your ultimate career move. The days of working at the same company for 20 plus years are moving behind us. Many researchers and business advisors suggest that every three years you should change jobs. Instead of looking at your tenure as an indicator of commitment, look at it as a timeline of risks taken. If you’ve been able to move from job to job to job, it’s a good sign you’re comfortable walking out the door and taking risks. Do not fall victim to the feeling or belief that you “owe” a job or manager for hiring you. If your skills are valuable, you will be rewarded for your service or find another place that will reward you.

Exit Toward Success

Young professionals are changing what it means to work within an organization and how we view ourselves within a certain culture. We no longer seek a job just for stability, but rather for the way that it aligns with our passions and our short or long-term goals. We continue to seek places of employment where our ideas are valued and implemented within the organization. If you are working to move up the corporate ladder or earn enough side revenue to do what you love fulltime, then you must actively plan for an exit. Whether it’s from one department to another or one career to the next, you can find success after an exit.

Marcedes Fuller is the author of While You Were Out From Work, a guide for professionals hoping to maximize their off time to prosper like never before. Learn more about him at marcedesfuller.com.

BOOK REVIEW

Bola Ibidapo covers Trudy Bourgeoisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fourth book, Courageous Conversations About Women, Men & Race to Spark a Diversity and Inclusion Breakthrough

EQUALITY About The Author Throughout her life, Trudy Bourgeois has been a forward-thinking agent of change. In the 1 0s, she was the first to integrate the Catholic school system in Mobile, Alabama. In the 1980s, she became the first in a family of 10 children to graduate from college. In the 1990s, she broke the glass ceiling in the consumer goods industry by becoming the first African-American woman to rise to the level of Vice resident. After years of executive-level experience, she knows the challenges young professionals face. he also understands what it takes to achieve a breakthrough, and how to get there.

For decades, corporate America has talked about changing how it handles equality in the workplace. And yet no real change has occurred. The workplace that many young professionals face is looking less inclusive and less diverse. The hope is that the rising, future generation will fix it. But how? When the dominant group perceives growth for women and minorities as a loss of power, the battle for equality can seem slow to overcome. Until you talk to Trudy Bourgeois. Bourgeois believes to create authentic change in today’s corporate America, there has to be courageous conversations. er latest book, UALIT : Courageous Conversations About Women, Men Race to park a Diversity and Inclusion Breakthrough, dives deep into what courageous conversations look like, and what stops us from breaking through bias. at are Coura eous Conversations Courageous conversations get to the emotional level of di cult topics to create buy in. To be effective, they have to happen across all levels of corporate America, across all barriers and across all generations. Until professionals can speak their truth, corporate America can’t get to the core of the equality problem. In the book, Trudy and her fellow thought-leaders explain sponsorship, political savvy, executive presence, work-life balance, and ambition as contributing factors for a lack of equality. he suggests that while these dynamics may come into play, they do so because of one word- bias. ow oes ias Impa t E ualit Bias alone is not entirely dangerous. When we couple bias with fear, lack of cultural awareness, and an unwillingness to learn, we leave room for inequality. While we have no problem acknowledging bias exists, we sometimes struggle to admit them and take ownership for our biases. Most women and people of color think that bias is most often displayed by members of the dominant group i.e., white men . But this is not so, Bourgeois says. er research shows women express biases against each other as much as members of the dominant group. o oul C ampion orkpla e E ualit In Bourgeois’ “truth-telling style,” she lays it all out on the table and calls on white women to recognize that they can be the biggest advocates of change in the workplace. he goes on to challenge all women to stop being a part of the problem in advancing equality, but to join forces and learn how to support each other and become a part of the solution. he calls on young people, another group facing workplace inequality, to rise up and break cycles of bias. As a former senior sales and marketing executive, Bourgeois knows that women can’t drive the needed cultural change by themselves. he encourages the female reader to reach across the table to gain men’s alliances.

To learn more about Trudy Bourgeois and EQUALITY, visit workforce excellence.com

ome men in corporate America don’t need a push to advocate for groups facing workplace equality. Bourgeois suggests that readers stop wasting time on men who are already champions or early adopters of change. Time will move these guys and the vast majority of naysayers as they accept diverse groups are the key to remaining relevant and successful in the business world. at Else Can You earn rom E ITY ach chapter provides a practical road map each breakthrough that must happen for ALL of us to achieve equality in corporate America.The book covers courageous conversations about our resent Truth, the Role of Women and Men, Driving Your Own Equality, and Forging Meaningful artnerships Across Differences. EQUALITY ends with reimagining a New Future and Leadership for the 21st Century. If you are a leader of people which is all of us , then you must get your hands on this book. Bourgeois takes her own personal and professional life experiences and the experiences of hundreds of leaders to provide a roadmap to a place called “deep democracy.” In deep democracy, diverse groups have a level playing field, can unleash their potential, and have an equal opportunity to contribute at their highest level. By the end of reading UALIT , you won’t be afraid to have a courageous conversation. ou will feel empowered to make true change and help equality finally its place in corporate America. If you want to experience success as a leader in today’s business world, you will want to think long and hard about your habits, behaviors and patterns that shape how you engage across differences. This book helps you do so.

LEVERAGE YOUR CAREER TO

BUILD

A SIDE BUSINESS A

fter eight years in corporate, surviving four lay offs, and facing over 50 position rejections, Paris Davis has had his fair share of professional experience. Instead of looking at his career journey as a challenge, Davis has used his career to start and grow his own business. He explains how you can do the same in four simple steps.

alancing a career and a side business can be complicated, frustrating, and exhausting at times. But it often times has its rewards. All it takes to leverage your career to build your dreams is the right job, business strategies, and alignment. Most of us have taken out thousands in loans to make the amount of money we earn today. If you avoided serious debt while pursuing higher education, then great. But for those who did not, it’s easy to settle for a job that pays well and give up on your passion to avoid falling further into debt. The more challenging and rewarding path is to find a job with career potential and try to move up the ladder. If you love your job, then advancing within an organization will be easier. It is very key to find an environment that you enjoy, somewhere you will feel motivated to work hard. We all have days where we do not want get up and go work for someone, but knowing that your job supports your side business can help motivate you more. If you are not passionate about your side business, chances are you will not get much accomplished and your business will turn into a hobby. If you want to eventually retire or generate more income, then building up a side business takes work. Building a business takes time, money, and a community of support. In the beginning, when starting a business, there is so much to do and learn. This can become stressful due to the minimum amount of knowledge, time, and resources you may have. But if you read, find mentors, outsource activities, and follow the steps below, you can use your career to build your side business’ success.

Step 1

Step 3

A business or company hires you to perform a particular function because of your demonstrated strengths or talents. Before diving into building a side business, ask yourself, “Do I love where I work and do I love what I do?”

Companies don’t become a success overnight. You have to understand how the company you work for started and how it progressed to be what it is today. There may be lessons and key takeaways to learn from them that can help you grow your business. It’s illegal to copy or steal company information, but understanding the basics of your company’s operations, systems, and procedures can help you organize your business. A great idea would be to learn more about the company’s human resources structure to prepare for your own team in the future. It will take a great deal of creativity to connect your vision to your company’s vision, but it can be done.

Evaluate Your Position

A person who hates their company will not stay in any position very long. A person who loves their company may stay in a bad position for a while. With a good company, you may have the option to move into another position. With a bad company and bad position, it becomes important to find a better environment. Evaluate where you are in corporate life before focusing solely on your side business. Make sure a plan is put in place to cover all your expenses like food, transportation, and housing to help you reach a new position.

Step 2

Make Your Company Invest

Take advantage of stock options, retirement plans, and anything the company will match to maximize your savings. If matching options are limited, focus on earning a promotion and use any extra income for investing. Beyond financial investments, your company can also invest in your skill development. Company training can help you learn new skills and sharpen old talents. Use any training opportunity to build on your talents or create new skills. This will allow you to become an expert in areas that can help your side business. If there is additional Microsoft training or a course on project management available, take it. Doing this can help you move up the ladder in your company while helping build your small business.

Map Out Your Vision

Step 4

Find Your Community

Coworkers who share common interests can be the biggest supporters of your side business. For example, if you have a peer in sales at your company, ask them to lend their people and personality skills to sell the service or products of your business. You might even find coworkers who have a side business that needs your skills as well. By finding your community at work and networking outside the office, you can possibly find someone to partner with for years to come. Even if you don’t have your side business yet, networking with coworkers can open new doors for opportunities within your company, which can help you build or sharpen your skills.

Paris Davis is a professional based in Chicago, Illinois. Learn more about his side business F&B Programs at fandbprograms.com.

BUILD AN EXECUTIVE BOARD When people hear “Board of Directors,” they tend to think of for-profit businesses and non-profits. But if you’re a young professional serious about building a career, you need your own “Board of Directors” to help guide you to success. Building your own board of directors is about finding successful professionals who have careers that you admire. You should, in some shape or form, hope to become these professionals one day. Your board of directors for your career should consist of a handful of people willing to be your trusted advisors and mentors. Just like organizations, your board should include professionals from various industries with different experiences. Good board members will readily share information and resources with you to help you grow in your career. Each board member should have different strengths but they should all have a common goal— to help you succeed. As the Chair of your board, you have to research individuals to learn about their backgrounds, strengths, and career successes.

Who Should Sit On Your Board Knowing about your board members’ failures, what they learned through trial and error, will help you if you stumble on your path to success. You may not have the same experiences as them, but it gives you a different lens to look through. Learning from your board will help you navigate through your own journey, and provide you valuable information to help you in tough workplace situations. There are different types of career professionals you can learn from. When you look to build your board of directors, consider finding a: • Career Coach: Helps with career choices, professional development, résumés, and professional profiles such as Glassdoor or LinkedIn. • Life Coach: Helps with life decisions, personal development, and provides support when in good or bad circumstances and situations.

WHY WAIT FOR A SEAT AT THE TABLE WHEN YOU CAN BUILD YOUR OWN EXECUTIVE TEAM? Author and Speaker Calvin Purnell, Jr. shares how you can build an executive board and leverage one to make an impact. • Recruiter: Helps with finding job opportunities, keeps you informed of the industry trends, and guides you to your next discipline. You can help recruiters by sending them trusted candidates to help them fill newly-created or vacant positions. o Pro Tip: Have more than one recruiter on your board to broaden your reach for your next role. • Manager, Director, Vice President, or C-Suite Executive: Helps build your success within your current role, pushes you out of your comfort zone, and groom you to the next level of success. o Note: These board members should currently hold a role you want to be in one day. They are normally very approachable and willing to help more than you think. You must take the time to build a relationship with them.

How to Connect With Your Board Your board members are really mentors. Mentors, or trusted advisors, have done or are doing what you want to do in your career. To be successful, it is key to have mentors. Mentors add value to your growth as a professional and it is important to make sure you find a good fit in a mentor. Seeking mentors who have extensive years of experience comes with perks. If you build a proper relationship, which is giving more than you take, your mentors can possibly give you a golden key to their city. This provides you access to their professional network and can open many doors for you professionally. Many professionals are given opportunities to succeed simply based on their mentor’s endorsement. It really is not always what you know, but who you know. An important key to having successful relationships is knowing you have to drive the activity in building relationships. Do not expect mentors to reach out to you regularly. This is your career and it is your job to schedule check in calls, update them on your progress, and seek advice. Your mentors have busy schedules, and it’s up to you to take the initiative.

THE JOURNEY TO BUILDING A STRONG EXECUTIVE TEAM WILL REQUIRE 1. Time 2. Effort 3. Research 4. Follow-Up 5. Investment In Others

As you progress in your career, you have to pay it forward. After you have been guided through your career by your Board of Directors, do the same for others. Through experiences, your journey, and your success, you can provide the same guidance you obtained, and more, to another young professional.

Expand Your Boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reach and Impact Remember being a new and impressionable entrylevel professional? All you wanted was a chance to prove you were capable of doing the job. There are many professionals like this looking for a break just like

you once were. Be willing to help others climb the ladder of success behind you. Reach back to pull others up and create more leaders and mentors for generations. Taking the time to support other young professionals helps businesses grow and can also help you get to the next level in your career. Mentorship is so important that some organizations require employees to mentor people before they are even considered for a senior-level role. It teaches people that their success cannot be built alone. Mentoring also gives you the opportunity to share your experiences. By teaching what you know, you are giving more than receiving. You are giving others insight into your real life experiences, which is far more valuable than theory or practice. It can also give back to you by reminding you of any past struggles, which can truly be eye opening and humbling. Thinking about and sharing these memories

may motivate you to help others avoid some of the pitfalls you experienced. Take the time to pay it forward to as many people as you can throughout your career and beyond. There is nothing more rewarding than genuinely helping someone advance. As you look to build your Board of Directors, those that will help you in the advancement of your career, there is work to do. The journey you are on will require much time, effort, research, follow up and investment in others on your part. This is what relationship building is all about and that is the key to building a successful Board of Directors.

Calvin Purnell, Jr. started working at the age of 15. He helped his five best friends get hired at his same place of employment, and has continued to help others with their resume and job searches ever since. Learn more about his career guidance services and tools at cpspeaks.com.

Dressing the Modern Man Fashion & Style is in my DNA “You’re a woman, but you’re a men’s stylist…Why is that?” “Do you style women?” These are the questions that I face the most as a male fashion stylist and I typically have the same answer for everyone. My answer usually is, I love all fashion, for women and men! So yes, I style women, but men’s fashion is my primary focus. Picking out stylish looks for men has been a passion of mine since I was in high school. I know this because I recall spending my entire allowance on my 16-year-old boyfriend and spending hours in Express making sure that I picked out the best sweater my $60 could buy.

with a variety of suits, ties, hats, and shoes from the local apparel shops in Cleveland, Ohio. My dad has always possessed a strong sense of style uniqueness through his clothing choices. To this day, he never goes along with trends; he remains true to his “old school” individual style and walks confidently in it. He is the reason that I often go by the motto, “Own your style; don’t let your style own you.” I’m also reminded by him that I was destined to go into fashion— it’s simply a part of my DNA.

Discover and Enhance Your Style If you’ve never thought critically about the way you dress before, it can be hard to define your personal look. When it comes to finding your style for work, start with WHERE you see yourself going and WHAT you see yourself wearing when you reach the top. From business formal to business casual, discovering your style can help you walk confidently on your path to success. I took my time looking through the sweater selection and remember thinking about his personality and which sweater would suit him best. I looked carefully through the solid color options and those with patterns. When I made my final decision, I felt confident in my selection and knew that he would love what I picked out. Now looking back, I probably shouldn’t have spent my entire allowance on my teenage boyfriend. However, the same passion that I had then when picking out that sweater is the same passion I have now when I am working with my male clients. I pride myself in finding the perfect look to match their style and personality. That pride and passion probably comes from childhood memories of watching my dad fill his closet

Business Formal: The Standard & the Modernistic Look Traditional. Classic. Modern. Gentleman. Sophisticated. Dapper. These are just a few of the characteristics you may hear when one is describing the style of a welldressed man. “Dress how you want to be addressed.” Whether you work in Corporate and regularly attend meetings with colleagues and/or company executives -or- you’re an entrepreneur meeting with potential investors, clients, and partners, your appearance should reflect how you wish to be addressed during those interactions. First, let’s start with the basics. Traditionally, the attire for business formal is a full matching business suit (tailored of course!). Your formal suit should include a jacket and dress pants with a buttoned-up collar shirt, cuff links, pocket square, and lastly, the perfect tie to complete the look. Bonus points if you add a fivebutton vest to tighten up the look. Commonly, business formal suits are black or a very dark navy. Men should also wear closed-toe and closed-heel shoes with socks. The socks and shoes should be plain and dark. As time has evolved, there has been a shift in what’s now considered as “appropriate” in the various categories of men’s fashion. Today’s younger men are much bolder and daring in their suit choices for the workplace. I’ve personally seen several men wear suits that would be considered as “non-traditional,” but

yet still professional and polished. Retail shops such Suit Supply, J Crew, Nordstrom, and Banana Republic, all offer a great selection of suits that the millennial man can purchase to complete their modernistic business formal look. Rest assured, the standard black and navy suit will always be a safe and classic choice, so you can still have those as a back-up in your closet. But remember, there’s nothing wrong with taking some risks and adding a few contemporary suits to your collection.

The Entrepreneur Look: Calling Your Own Shots “He who Dares Wins.” The remarkable thing about entrepreneurship is you are the person to control your environment and determine how you should dress for your day. Full-time business owners typically work from their home office, or the local coffee shop at the corner of their street. There are days, however, where even the entrepreneur must dress for an important meeting or special event. Depending on the audience, the entrepreneur can follow the same guidelines for business formal attire or can even go further with suit creativity. A few of my clients serve as a great example of what to wear for each of these various categories. No matter what line

From top to bottom (right to left) Styled by Ashley Hill (A.Hill) Tim and Dorone modeling business formal; Ali (photo by DLores Photography) and Trey (photo by Stephon Latham) in busness casual; A.Hill and client Ross (Photo by Angela Webb)

of work you’re in, or looking to pursue, I hope that you can identify key elements of each different look to create your own style. Gaining this understanding can help you determine how you can enhance and/or transform your look. “Make it simple, but significant.” -Forever Vogue. In your career, business, and life off the clock, fashion and style will always to be a reflection of your own self-image. Even if it’s not your passion, fashion can be fun. I see it every day in my work when I assist men and women achieve a look they’ve always dreamed of. They light up and enter a room completely different just because of what they put on in the morning. As young professionals entering into competitive work industries, it is essential to remember that the way you look is often the impression that you will leave on others. It’s important to own your style in-andout of the workplace. Invest more into the way you look when stepping out the door. Work with A.Hill Styling Co. to achieve your style goals or find another local styling company to help. Take pride in how you look when you go into the world, it will benefit you in the end.

A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT

Whether you work in Finance, Technology, or Sales, you need a community of support to build your career. Cameron Smith, Nayra Galaviz, and Dante Flick share how family, mentorship, and networking helped shape their career.

M N

EET AYRA

IBM Watson & Cloud Platform Specialist From a distance, Nayra Galavizâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s moves from marketing to technology may not seem like a clear career path. But up close, Nayra shows you can build a fulfilling and challenging career by following mentors and defining your own aspirations.

During her senior year of college, Nayra Galaviz received an opportunity to intern at one of the top telecommunication companies in the world. The position would require her to quit all her other parttime jobs, but offered generous compensation. She felt lucky to finally hone down her time and focus on one job, but it was still a hard transition. Over the course of the internship, she would have to juggle engineering coursework and managing clients between classes.

“I always tried to go above and beyond my job role and consistently show improvement. My dedication showed in my performance, and feeling noticed felt really great.”

“I wouldn’t recommend it to anybody...to handle a full course load and a full-time job,” Nayra laughed. “It was just one of those things I had to do to get by.”

“When you are fresh out of college, you feel pressure to have your life figured out in a five or 10-year plan,” she reflected. “[But I wanted to] pursue the next thing that felt right, even if it meant a paycut.”

After graduating in May, she felt instant relief. Her internship experiences, maxed out semesters, and coursework abroad had paid off. She received a bachelor’s in Engineering Management Science and Business Administration and a master’s dthrough an accelerated 4+1 program. Her old internship company wanted to hire her right away, but before she could accept, she asked herself some tough questions.

“I had to take stock of my career aspirations,” Nayra remembered. “I had to find balance between career

After excelling, she felt a change coming not only for her career, but for her personal growth too. Instead of focusing on her technical skills, Nayra wanted to express her emotional and intellectual sides in her next career move. She wanted to work at a nonprofit.

Nayra stayed at her marketing job for a few months, then boldly and confidently made the jump to a local women’s shelter. To outsiders, switching to a job that was different from her degree seemed like a bump in her career trajectory. But in the end, having that technical background and merging it into a non-profit field gave her a competitive edge.

“Everything works seamlessly together. Those skills you acquire along the way...you don’t forget them. You collect them from job to job.”

hatever I was doing, I wanted to give it my

fields that aligned with my degree versus fields that I gravitated toward.” Her stock assessment led her to marketing. “I chose the marketing position because I wanted to be under the guidance of a mentor. I chose who I wanted to work with rather than following the degree.” Mentorship proved to be an invaluable part of her journey. As a first-generation college student and native Colombian, Nayra had to pave her own path in America. A lot of the career sphere was unchartered territory for her and her immediate family, so she relied on good mentors to help shape her career. The mentor who encouraged her to take the account executive position helped her grow rapidly. “Whatever I was doing, even if I did not know anything about the industry, I wanted to learn and give it my all.” Despite having great mentorship, constructive feedback, and emotional support, she was still sometimes on her own. As one of the few women in a male-dominated field, she had some gender battles to overcome. While the status quo of equality in the workplace improved, she was still shocked at some of the challenges she faced. She battled stereotyping, pay inequality and working extra hard to get same acknowledgement that her male peers received.

ll.

In her new job, she used her technical skills to improve established onboarding and management processes. Working in a more emotionally-demanding environment, she had to learn how to prioritize selfcare and intentionally carved out time for writing, reading, and yoga to recharge her energy. “It’s a disservice to others if you are not taking care of yourself first,” she elaborated. “You really have to put your whole self into [nonprofit work].” After she gave herself completely to the job, she needed a mental health break. She returned to the habits she made after college and took stock of where she wanted to go next. “I knew every step in my journey was helping me build the skills I needed to end up where I was really supposed to be.” Nayra ended up close to where she began— at another global leader. Her daily responsibilities at IBM include working with clients for the first 90 days of service. She gets to flex her technical and soft skills by mitigating bad client experiences and providing them solutions with IBM tools. After a winding journey to her dream career, it seemed like the perfect ending. “Life is more enjoyable when you have loose reigns on it. I’ve always been content with what I’m doing. I happily get to support myself and follow my passion.”

MOVING FROM ONE FIELD TO ANOTHER TAKES MORE THAN A WILLINGNESS TO LEARN.

My senior year of college was far from coasting. Before I could receive my bachelor of science degree in Restaurant-Hotel Institutional management, I needed to complete an internship. The options around my college town were limited, so I looked beyond Lubbock, Texas for work. To expand my rushed and frantic search, I leveraged connections back in my hometown to secure what would eventually be my first role in hospitality management. That fateful internship was with one of the NFL’s largest and most world-renowned football franchise. My first taste of professional success was with the Dallas Cowboys.

F ACTS F LICK

Hometown: Plano, Texas Education: Texas Tech Degree: Bachelor of Science in Restaurant Hotel Institutional Management Professional Title: Sales Manager, PSAV® Premier Global Events Professional Background: Former Operations Manager, Dallas Cowboys

Never in my four years of academic preparation had I considered or even thought of working for the Dallas Cowboys. Day-in and day-out at their stadium headquarters, I learned the ends and outs of fan-focused hospitality. From tracking shipments of Cowboy star glasses to researching local vendors for stadium products, I touched many parts of the game-day and stadium operation. I had to learn quickly, think on my feet, and try to be two steps ahead on every logistical process. Networking within the organization really helped me stay ahead and thrive in whatever role I was assigned. Over a short four-year period, I received three promotions and made memories and connections that would last a lifetime. While I enjoyed being a part of a successful organization, I wanted some more independence, flexibility, and normalcy for my life. After months of working 70 hour weeks, I started considering moving to sales. I had no idea

how tough of a transition it would be, but I knew I could rely on networking again to get me the next job. LinkedIn became my best friend as I applied for every relevant position posted on their site. I took every interview a recruiter or company offered me, whether I thought I would take the job or not. Each interview was practice for the next one, and a chance to take negative criticism in an optimistic way. Over a five moth period of followups, callbacks, maybe next times, and flat out no’s, my parents did a great job keeping me positive. Having them as my rock and support system helped me arrive at my next “big break,” a sales manager position at PSAV. PSAV offers clients a wide array of planning, design and technology solutions to create awe-inspiring events. As a sales manager, my day to day life is more regular now. I get to work, respond to clients and team members, research repeat and new client needs, lead support calls, close deals, and facilitate debrief meetings. Similar to the hospitality world, I get to help make someone else’s vision become a reality. Dealing with rejected proposals and client turnover can be difficult, but it makes the job more challenging. I get to be true to myself, a gogetter, and shake hands with even more people. Moving from hospitality to sales has taught me to be even more open minded to change and ready to expect that all good things don’t come easy. Connections will make or break you, and have helped me build my career.

ANTE

Connections Will Make or Break Your Career

LICK

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s All About the

TEAM

rom football field to finance office, Cameron Smith knows he s not the only player that s led to his career wins.

Lessons from his family and football prepared Cameron Smith for a winning position on a corporate finance team.

here’s a true difference between casually watching something happen and paying attention to how one move can impact the next. Cameron Smith spent hours of his college experience watching film for football practice and learning from the moves and mistakes of others. Outside of the stadium and locker rooms, he did the same thing in his own life. He watches, learns, and listens to move in a progressive direction. “I don’t really see things as goals, and that’s really my whole family. When we make a commitment to something that we want to achieve, we’ll put the right things in place in order to do that.” Smith’s family helped him set high expectations for his post-graduate success. His mother, father, and brother all graduated from Kansas University, making Smith’s choice to attend a private university in the South an unprecedented move. But already accustomed to change due to a big family move when he was a teenager, Smith saw no insurmountable challenge with his college choice. He graduated

with a bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s in management in just five years.

Now a Treasurer’s Specialist at JCPenney, Smith helps his current team manage over $8 billion dollars in benefit assets. His job isn’t just about watching the numbers; it’s also about learning how Employees and Asset Managers think about money. He watches the number of vested workers move from one percent to the next, and watches the uptrends and ticks of diversified portfolios. Well into his career at JCPenney, he’s literally watching his professional journey begin. “Because of all the blessings I’ve had—a full scholarship, the ability to do certain things, a two-parent household—I try to maximize everything I do and do it to the best of my ability, whether it was school, football or athletics, or at my job right now.” Before his job at JCPenney, Smith learned how to operate in the two distinctly different worlds of college student and Division-I athlete. While most Southern Methodist University students spent their college days focused on experiencing everything a campus in the heart of Dallas could offer, Smith focused on his end game. “My dad would call it the X-factor— Don’t let other things detract you from where you are

and where you need to go. He kind of was the one who taught me about that, and for me it was a good example to see.” The other examples around him showed Smith what not to do. He saw senior athletes miss opportunities for professional growth and struggle to graduate on-time. He saw his brother, who started his family earlier than planned, make tough sacrifices to be present for his family. To break the cycle of most studentathletes, Smith sought out likeminded peers. He sat in the front of classrooms, spent time in the library, and limited his social calendar. His time went to maintaining his football scholarship, his intimate relationships, and thinking about life after college. “With football, the air is going to come out of the ball one day… I knew that if I didn’t start figuring out how to get a job, how to better network with others, then it was going to be pretty hard for me.” Smith’s first challenge in building his career came closer to graduation. Instead of struggling through the experience alone, he leaned on his family for support. He asked his mom to make him a resume. “I know that’s cheating a little, but I really had no time or idea about what [Employers] were looking for. My mom was in human resources for years, and she really helped me get started.”

Cameron Smith’s story It’s All About The Team continues...

mith started out managing some of JCPenney’s pension fund projects right out of college. Beyond meeting with the company’s human resources department, investment managers, and controllers, he prioritized serving others in his role. He found ideas for saving associates’ money and better preparing them for retirement. When he had more questions about moving up in the financial world, he went back to his family and community of mentors for guidance. An advocate of finding mentors who “don’t look like you,” he took advice from those who were older, younger, White, African, and various backgrounds in between. “I throw things at them, and we bounce ideas off each other because it’s a different perspective,” he said. “It’s always good to have someone hold you accountable for what you want to do.” Smith wanted to do something bigger than himself after getting his bearings in corporate. He committed himself to mentoring students at Cox School of Business, and emphasized soft skills in his mentoring sessions. Anytime he mentors others, he reminds ambitious professionals, “it’s not all about the technical aspect of things.” “Business doesn’t have time for pettiness…. You have to have a servant mindset and be willing to learn.” Even in his current role at JCPenney, Smith still applies the lessons he learned from football for advancing his career. He relies on his community, his family, and faith to continually grow. “Some days I just sitting at my desk, and I’m think, “Man, I don’t know how I got here.”

This is just the starting point.

Photography by Dlores Media Group. Features written by Kian Hervey.

Build your community of support by connecting with

Dante Flick, Nayra Galaviz, & Cameron Smith

on LinkedIn. While you’re there, follow Forty Magazine for our latest updates.

EMBRACING A

GLOBAL

COMMUNITY & EXPERIENCES Probe & Parametric Test Solutions Manager Brandon Mair

chased global experiences to define his managerial style. Kian Hervey covers how he navigates being a Company Leader and the communities that impacted his journey. A COMMUNITY AT HOME

Before graduating with two degrees in physics and mechanical engineering, Brandon Mair always pushed himself to go beyond expectations. Mair’s family expected him and his twin to not only attend college, but also to put little strain on the family to pay for their degrees. With competitive test scores and high GPAs, Mair and his brother received full-ride scholarships to colleges in Georgia. “Having my brother, pushed me to be my best at all times,” he explained. “When we got the full ride, it was just… how I was brought up. It was just an expectation, what we’re supposed to do. So we did.”

A COMMUNITY AT COLLEGE After high school, Mair entered a rigorous college program that required six to seven years of dedicated study. Part of his undergraduate education would be completed at the private HBCU Morehouse College; the other portion of his studies would be completed at public university Georgia Tech. Instead of extending his time between the two campuses, Mair focused on

completing the program in just five years. He took 18 hour semesters heavy in the sciences and math and rarely took a sick day. During finals week one year, Mair suffered from bronchitis and faced overwhelming stress from preparing for three exams scheduled for the same day. Rather than asking his professors for a makeup date, he faced his mental and physical challenge head on. From that instance he learned a hard lesson that he still follows today. “I took them and I failed all of them,” he laughed. “I did all that stressing and it didn’t help, and that’s the kind of model I have. When you stress it doesn’t solve anything. Focus on what you need to do, the end goal. Focus on getting to the end.” The end of Mair’s college experience included two lifechanging experiences. The first, an internship at Texas Instruments (TI) would lay the foundation for his future career. The second, an international research program at Georgia Tech Lorraine, would shape how he viewed his work as part of the global community.

A COMMUNITY ABROAD

“Going overseas was eye-opening. You get to do things people never get to do, which is useful in today’s global environment… That was the best experience of my life.” For an entire summer, Mair researched ultrasonic transducers in Metz, France. His final presentation explored how polymer foam coupled with air can act as a transducer and how damage to the composite material could impact the transduction process. The challenging work prepared him for moving to Dallas, Texas to start a career at Texas Instruments. He started at the company as a probe and contractor integration engineer working on TI’s largest revenue stream, semi-conductors. “Everyone knows TI makes calculators. We all used to play a game or two on them in school. But TI’s big business is semi-conductors,” he explained. “Everywhere you go, from Starbucks to airport kiosks, we need integrated circuits that are smaller and faster. Our group supports that new technology.”

As technology demands went up and down, so did the size of Mair’s new team. Originally five people supported TI’s global probe technology efforts, but after a round of layoffs in 2012 and 201 , Mair became a small team of one. For a couple years, he did all the hardware probing and chip/circuit testing for a number of prototypes and ready-to-market products. “It was being thrown out to swim,

managerial role. When his manager was elevated to a new position, so was Mair. TI restructured his team to include parametric test solutions and added headcount for five to six new mployees to join the team. The transformation of his role also a rmed Mair’s belief that reaching success is all about mindset. “I preach mindset because I think people don’t give themselves enough credit. It’s not arrogance

sink or drown, and I learned how to make some responsibilities on my own. When a new manager came over one of the best I had , he said, “ ey, Brandon keep doing what you’re doing.”

it’s knowing you have the potential to go as far as you can see. It helps in uence you to be better.” Beyond making an impact at his job, Mair has committed himself to being a better person by helping others learn and grow outside the o ce. is independent work as a licensed loan o cer with ations Reliable Lending empowers professionals to develop wealth

A COMMUNITY AT WORK What Mair was doing was working his way up. is new manager gave him more and more tasks to set him up in for a future

through home ownership. With every individual he helps prepare to buy a home, Mair knows he’s empowering communities to have new experiences. “I bought a house years ago. We have to teach and give knowledge back that is really what helps people succeed. It’s not about having money it’s about having knowledge.”

To onne t wit ran on air, visit

bran onmair nrlmort a e

om or

t emair on Insta ram

SIGN ME UP! After a long day of work, the first thing any professional wants to do is relax. ome fill their downtime with wine and etflix. Others may head to the nearest bar and spend the evening with friends. Although self-care is critical to high performance, there is another way to give back to yourself. olunteering in your community is something every professional should try to do.

olunteering doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be limited to neighborhood soup kitchens or homeless shelters. When looking to volunteer the key is to stick with your interests. There are three areas where you should look first.

Meaningful Ways to Volunteer After Work.

1. For Your Profession

Whether you’re in public relations or an engineer, your field has a professional organization to join. These organizations often offer opportunities to gain skills and connect with other colleagues in your field. This is the perfect place for those looking to advance in their careers, and volunteer. The key is to jump right in become familiar with the organization, join a committee, or become a leader. Organizations are always looking for people to help and, more often than not, you will be praised for your assistance. olunteering your time to a professional organization not only gives you experience, but it allows you to showcase skills that you may not use in your current position. It also allows you to network and work closely with others in your field, so when the time comes, you may be top-ofmind when a new position opens at another company.

2. For Your Community

Community service can come in many different forms. From serving in your local animal shelters to cleaning up public parks, there’s an area of your community that needs help. erving your community this way allows you to learn more about a certain public initiative or issue may impact your neighbors, fellow citizens, and family. If you’re interested in this type of volunteering, this is a chance for you to take a step back, assess your skills, and really consider where they can be utilized. Are you an experienced graphic designer? Contact your local non-profits to see if they need any graphics for their upcoming events. Local non-profits are usually small teams of staff so offering your time and assistance is always a benefit for them. They see you as two extra hands to help continue their mission.

3. For Yourself

Lastly, think of what inspires you. What are your hobbies? What interests you? What do you miss that you’d like to pick up again? For some, this may be in the form of coaching a sports team or tutoring students. For others, it may be taking care of the elderly or those with disabilities. Whatever it looks like for you, pursue it. This is the easiest area to start volunteering because you’re following your personal interests and passions. Challenge yourself and become a volunteer. While the option of relaxation is usually the obvious choice, try to balance your spare time and fill it with volunteering. Doing so will give you a chance to gain experience, be involved, and learn about your passions outside of the workplace. ou won’t be disappointed with the knowledge you’ll gain for your future.

About The Author

Jasmine Long is a Marketing Communications Specialist at Buckley Sandler, LLP in Washington, D.C. In her spare time she volunteers with her local chapter of Autism Speaks. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.

ontributing riter herie ohnson is the ner and perator o our eat at the able areer olutions or omen. onnect ith her on nstagram yourseata hetable.

OUT OF OFFICE

MONTEGO BAY

JAMAICA

Photo by Peter Q. (Flickr/2010)

When I arrived in Jamaica and was greeted by the warm sun, island breeze, and sound of reggae music, I couldn’t hide my excitement. There is so much to see and enjoy in Jamaica, next time you’re in Montego Bay, here’s what you need to do.

Where to Stay.

Riu Hotels & Resorts are all-inclusive, adults-only hotels that are rated as some of the best hotels in Montego Bay. Take pleasure in the various resort activities, cool off in the swim-up bar, relax at the spa, work up a sweat at the gym, or give windsurfing a go. There are three Riu options in Montego Bay: Hotel Riu Montego Bay, Hotel Riu Reggae, and Hotel Riu Palace Jamaica. Current rates range from $125.00-192.00 per person per night.

What to See.

Take a day trip to Seven Mile Beach from Montego Bay with SNL Jamaican Tours. Your tour guide will meet you at your hotel to begin your seven-hour adventure. Beginning with a scenic ride along the northern coastline and arriving at Negril’s Seven Mile Beach, you will enjoy beautiful views of the white sand and water that is as blue as the sky. Your exciting trip includes various activities such as swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and a range of water sports. While dining at Rick’s Café for lunch, you will have a great view of the cliff divers.

Where to Eat.

Start the evening off on a raft that takes you from the sandy shore to The Houseboat Grill, a rustic restaurant with a fusion menu overlooking the Bogue Lagoon. With the relaxing ambiance, you can enjoy a sunset cocktail during happy hour or eat tasty chicken fettuccini alfredo, pan fried snapper, or fresh lobster during lobster season (July through March). Paired with a wine from The Houseboat Grill’s impressive wine list, it will be a dinner you won’t forget. If you want to dine at a table on the upstairs deck, be sure to make a reservation in advance.

Where to Play.

The Cinnamon Hill Golf Course has elevations 350 feet above the beautiful Caribbean Sea. While playing, you can view the Rose Hall Great House and ancient aqueducts used to provide water to the sugar cane fields. The best-in-class caddies will offer to clip a branch of the cinnamon trees so that you can enjoy the fresh cinnamon scent. Rates currently average from $129.00-179.00 per player. With its rich history and amazing views, you have to play at Cinnamon Hill.

Don’t hesitate to book your next vacation to Montego Bay, Jamaica. Use some of that hard-earned paid time off, turn on your “out of office” notification, and head over to Jamaica for relaxation and fun in the sun.

MONTEGO BAY

JAMAICA

Photography: Marrica Evans Model: Bianca Myles

POURING INTO A COMMUNITY

STILL WITHOUT WATER Writer Dev Gillespie interviews musical artist and Flint, Michigan native on Connor about whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really going on in his community.

Every day we see pictures and news clips of third-world countries struggling to survive. We see hashtags trending on i er and onder ho e can help. e eel sympathy and ant to send our condolences and resources overseas but hat about those suffering close to home Ge ng out o the o ce to actually see and eel hat s going on around us can reignite your passion or or as e reali e ho good e really have it. hat ob becomes more bearable as you reali e it can help you help others and play a vital role in a community ar rom yours. lint ichigan is no longer in headlines but every day its citi ens are acing an on going ater crisis. esidents have been orced to drin sho er and coo ith ater contaminated ith lead that can cause brain damage idney damage miscarriages serious illnesses and even death. he dra n out and avoidable tragedy began hen Governor ic ynder decided to s itch lint s ater source rom La e uron one o the ve Great La es to the lint iver in an effort to save resources. his le the city struggling to stay alive and ma or li e ad ustments as the people had to cope ith not having something as essential and simple as clean ater. he real voices o lint ichigan aren t being heard on a regular basis. ithout a proper understanding o the problem you can t provide proper solutions. got the chance to spea ith artist on onnor o lint ichigan and r. re s A ermath ntertainment about hat s really going on on the ground in lint and ho e as a community o young pro essionals can effectively get involved.

WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON IN

FLINT MIC I A DG: A lot of people don’t realize how it is on a day to day basis not having clean water. What is a day to day like in Flint right now? C: ou start to understand that the smallest things become an inconvenience. Think about brushing your teeth with a bottle of water, then try to brush your teeth with bottle water. omething that would usually take five minutes becomes a 1 or 20-minute situation. very day in Flint a big decision to make is where are you going to shower today? o person, especially living in the United tates, should have to think that hard about taking a shower. Water is supposed to be a commodity that we all are supposed to have. It’s not even something we should have to think about. Water is such a plentiful commodity that you shouldn’t have to think about it being poisoned or unsafe to use. Beyond that aspect of the inconvenience, it messes with your spirit and your optimism when you start feeling like nobody cares about you. ou feel like your country, your state, your government, doesn’t care about you. The fact that they don’t care if we live or die because we have poisoned water. It’s a lot of things that test you everyday.

DG: A lot of people are under the impression the water crisis in Flint is a new issue. To your knowledge, how long has the water actually has been contaminated? C: I lived in Flint up until about two years ago. But every Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthday, and holiday, I’m ying back home. From my experience, this has been an issue for two years. There were stories about, “If you boil the water then it’s okay,” but now we know it was never okay. ou have people, family, kids using this water and now they’re sick and having rashes and lead poisoning due to a poor decision made by government o cials. Cher and a lot of celebrities have just recently brought this to people’s attention because of how bad it’s ge ng. eople are dying because of it now, but the water has been contaminated for years.

MUSIC ARTIST & NATIVE JON CONNOR SHARES HOW TO HELP DG: How can those who want to help be effective and get involved? JC: The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan has more water than they know what to do with. One suggestion that they made is to donate milk and produce which actually helps fight lead poisoning in the body. Milk and produce stops lead from being absorbed in the body and I know that seems like a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but it’s a marathon not a sprint. This is a long term issue so any little bit helps. Other than just donating water, donating food and time is another big thing. The National Guard and the government are probably only going to be here for 90 days, and after that we are probably going to be left to fend for ourselves. So Flint needs man hours, your time, water, milk, produce, and things that you would need in a time of crisis. Everything helps. DG: How do you feel city officials have responded to the situation? JC: On a daily basis, you probably don’t even think about water, right? It’s just something we expect to always be okay. The people of Flint feel betrayed by the government because we don’t think about these things. We elect people and put people in power that are responsible enough to handle these situations. We leave those things in these people’s hands and then something like this happens and your trust is ultimately betrayed; you don’t know who to trust. This was a conscious decision made by people to save money. I don’t want to get into the blame game and pointing fingers, but at the end of the day people are dying and somebody has to be held accountable. And I’m sure that those that need to be held accountable will be. DG: How are you using your music to try to turn the situation around? JC: Even before the water situation I’ve been speaking about what’s going on in Flint. I feel like there’s been a deterioration of my city for a long time. Being an artist is all about having a voice. With me, it’s never been about money. With the position I’m in you’re supposed to use your notoriety to have a voice about issues. You’re supposed to speak for things and people and be a voice for the voiceless. I have to be the voice for the people of Flint, MI. I take that responsibility very seriously and that’s exactly what I plan to do. Connect with Dev Gillespie and Jon Connor on social media at dev.gillespie and jonconnormusic on Instagram.

CASH IS KING, BUT CREDIT IS POWER.

FINANCIAL LITERACY AND EDUCATION

Time-tested Ta c t i c s f o r We l l - B e i n g i n the Digital Age

Before the internet, we managed to carry on in our private lives and careers without going totally electronic for everything. From to-do lists to business dealings around the world, we relied on other means for staying connected, communicating our thoughts, and achieving individual and team goals. One of my mentees laughed recently as I took a piece of paper out of my pocket and wrote myself a reminder, “Wow, you still do that on paper?” “Of course.” I use all the electronic means at my disposal to get the job done, but I’ve managed to hold onto some pre-internet methods to help me maintain a good personal and professional balance. While we are all busy with the rat race, here are some time-tested methods that I’m convinced are helpful for your wellbeing in the digital age: Write Instead of Typing Writing on paper to address challenges is comforting as our ideas are immediately visible and concrete. At work, I enjoy being able to brainstorm on paper to tackle the fine details of a new project or a potential solution to a problem. Putting pen to paper gives us time to focus. We project our ideas through the pen and onto the paper. We can make drawings to illustrate our ideas and how a process might flow. Think Before Answering In the early days of email, we apologized if we didn’t responded within six days. Today, it seems we must apologize if we don’t respond within six hours. Keeping up with both personal and professional email is a challenge. It just never stops. Prioritize the importance of each message. There is email that must be answered quickly, but not necessarily immediately. If the subject is vital, the sender should call you or send a text message. Right? Finally, consider the strategic weight of an email. We may regret answering a sensitive email too quickly. Set those emails aside and think before answering. You’ll know when you’re ready to reply, and you will have had time to find the right words. Pick Up the Phone & Call I’ve started calling people again. People seem surprised. In business, not only do we work out details more quickly, but calling is a must when the subject is touchy. If the issue is going to take more than two e-mails, call. If the subject has an emotional element to it and an email could be misunderstood, call. Calling friends is another forgotten habit that I am trying to bring back. I realized recently that some of my best friendships were being carried along through short text messages and that I can go for months without hearing my friends’ voices. Oh, and yes, by “call people on the phone,” we can include today’s use of video chats. I’m not that old-school!

In a hyperconnected w o rl d , unplugging is necessary for your well-being.

See People In Person eople e-mail each other even though their desks may be only a few feet apart. et up and go see the person ou will get your answer more quickly, and any follow-up issues can be handled immediately. Focus on the Topic at Hand All the beeps and vibrations of our phones and computers are a major distraction in both personal and professional circumstances. If you’re involved in a discussion, turn off the devices and focus on what is being said. This will be appreciated by your peers, and you will get more out of the conversation. Take a Walk to Think ave a big decision to make? Leave your phone at home or in the o ce and take a walk. Concentrate on your decision without all the usual distractions. ou’ll be amazed at how e cient this can be. Fully Disconnect venings and weekends, turn off your phone and computer for a while. What are you afraid you will miss? We all need time to ourselves and are allowed to be bored occasionally. ou’ll catch up on the all-important e-mail, tweets, Facebook posts, and the rest of it soon enough.

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ou may be thinking how impossible all these ideas seem. Like many, you may have developed a dependence on electronic devices that is hard to kick. I’m not saying that they are not wonderful inventions that have made communication faster and more e cient. owever, the place our devices have taken in our lives has perhaps become too big. It is important to recreate a balance by remembering the basics of interpersonal communication and by catering more to our need to have some intellectual time to ourselves. A few of my mentees have applied some of these tactics and confirm that after suffering initial withdrawal symptoms, the experience is liberating. o, the next time a vibration or beep hits you while you’re talking face to face with your best friend, decide if you really need to check your phone. If the answer is no, you’ve made a good start. And believe me, you’ll both appreciate it. Life isn’t an emergency Christopher Cripps is the Director of International Affairs at PSL University in Paris, France. He has over 20 years experience in higher education and regularly mentors students and young adults in the areas of personal and professional development. Connect with him on Twitter @C_Cripps

Healthy Eating On the Go

Tips on Finding Healthy Food Options while working 40+ hours per week

As a working mom of four, I know firsthand the struggle of trying to do and be it all. When I get in grind mode, working to deliver and knock down my goals with a spirit of excellence, I have the tendency to operate with tunnel vision. I move with such determination and focus toward building a career, family, and relationships, I easily forget to consider my own health needs. With all of the aforementioned things going on, who has time for eating healthy -percent of the time I learned the hard way being selfless and goal-driven are great characteristics, but it should never be at the expense of your personal health. ou can’t truly be and do your best if the foods you eat put your health at risk. Being healthy is a prerequisite to being that top associate, super parent, business leader or ust simply be the one who has everyone else wondering, “how’s it possible to do all you do, and do it so well ” Being healthy starts with being conscious about what you’re eating and the effects food has on your body. I know you’re wondering, how in the world is it possible to eat healthy when you’re at the mercy of deadlines and all the fast and convenient food surrounding you It’s possible; it’s going to take some intentional effort on your part, but it’s definitely doable. I’m going to share some tips that I find useful to maintain conscious consumption while working.

PLAN, PREP, AND PACK A LUNCH

If planned right, packing a lunch won’t seem like a daunting task. lus, adding meal prep to your to-do list will save you some money. lan out what you’re going to take for lunch and write or type it in a calendar or ournal. ick one day to shop, prep and or cook your

meals for the whole week and refrigerate, storing in airtight reusable containers. Just like that, you’ll have a pre-made lunch ready to grab and go ahead of time.

STUDY THE EATING OPTIONS AROUND YOU

ook for restaurants that offer a variety of lean meat options, colorful veggies, and colorful carbs that are full of fiber like sweet potatoes or brown rice. Make sure you have the option to order your food without the extra sauces and cheese. When ordering a salad, avoid the cheese topping, candied nuts, and creamy dressings as these are full of unhealthy fats and unnecessary sugar. Those extra fats and sugars will not only go against the goal of eating healthy, but will also have you feeling hungry and sluggish shortly after eating.

CONSIDER THE CLOCK

When you’re ordering on the go, trying to race against the clock can sabotage your goals. Do a little homework on the restaurants that surround you to seek out all healthy options. If delivery is available, choose this time-saving option. If the restaurant is a good fit, keep that restaurants’ menu bookmarked in your browser or keep the paper copy. I know how having a bunch of work to get back to, deadlines to meet and phone calls to make; mentally impede on your allotted time for lunch. nowing what to order and calling your order in ahead of time will help manage the time spent getting your food, preventing a rushed, unhealthy meal choice that you have to scarf down in your car.

FIND A LUNCH BUDDY

unch should be fun. It’s the break that we need during the course of the day, but it shouldn’t blow up your healthy-eating goals. If you have a colleague that you connect with on a regular basis that will agree and commit to making healthy lunch choices with you, ask them to oin you. Make it light and fun by sharing recipes or starting a friendly competition. Don’t be surprised if you have others start looking to oin your accountability group.

AVOID THE OFFICE JUNK SUPPLY

I work in a rehab setting where my colleagues love to share “office treats.” There are always donuts, bowls of candy, chips, muffins, and more unk food ready for all to en oy. As comforting and tempting as those treats are, before you know it, you’ve consumed calories or more that don’t add any nutritional value to your body. If you’re going to stick to your goals, your energy needs to be on point repare your own snacks like homemade trail mix, nuts, seeds, or protein bites give yourself an energy boost during your workday. These are ust a few tips to begin the thought process on reforming the way you eat for a healthier you. Being the busy professional that you are, after reading this apply the tips that fit you and your lifestyle. Remember, true transformation comes from within you, these tips are ust seeds being planted waiting for your intentional and decisive actions. If eating healthy is what you want and you begin to find yourself reverting back to your old habits, remind yourself that your future self needs you to keep choosing a healthier you Queala Holly Founder CEO of Hollyfitt Web site www.hollyfitt.com Instagram http www.instagram.com hollyfitt inkedin https www.linkedin.com in shaquealahollya

e p i c Re Yes, you read that right. Bacon. Pralines. All the sweet Southern charm of a pecan praline with the added OMG of bacon. Raise your dessert game with Bacon Pralines and Texas Wildflower Desserts’ other unique offerings including The Heartbeet– a traditional red velvet cake colored crimson with beets rather than artificial food dye, and The Smokehouse– a smoked vanilla cake paired with caramel, bourbon, and bacon.

By Anna Ryan Anna Ryan is the Pastry Chef and owner of Texas Wildflower Desserts, a dessert company based in Dallas, Texas. Pursuing a lifelong dream, Anna attended the Oregon Culinary Institute in 2010 and has since worked in a variety of restaurant kitchens, bakeries, and handmade candy shops. When she is not in the kitchen creating, Anna happily wrangles two preschool-aged daughters and a husband.

Ingredients 4 tablespoons

butter

1 cup

light brown sugar

3/4 cup

granulated sugar

Pinch 1/2 cup 2 tablespoons

of salt heavy cream light corn syrup

1/2 cup

lightly toasted pecan halves or pieces

1/2 cup

chopped crispy bacon

1 teaspoon

vanilla extract

Instructions 1.

Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Butter two spoons or a small cookie scoop and set to the side.

Add 4 tablespoons butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, heavy cream and corn syrup to a 2 quart or larger heavy bottom sauce pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Mix the mixture briefly to dissolve the sugar then allow it to continue to cook until it reaches 246Â°F, do not stir while cooking. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool, undisturbed, for 4 minutes.

Stir in the pecans, bacon, and beat vigorously until thickened and the nuts/ bacon are suspended, about 2 minutes. Working as quickly as you can, portion the pralines onto the prepared pan with buttered spoons or a scoop. Allow the pralines to cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.