1. Wear professional clothes. Opt for classic, timeless designs in your clothing and jewelry. In five years if you haven’t taken a new headshot, you don’t want to look dated. Dress for your industry — if you work in PR, that may mean you can be more creative, whereas accounting will mean to go more conservative.

2. What not to wear. Avoid white which can reflect light, and if you’re shooting against a light background, can make you look like a floating head. Avoid bright colors which can detract from you. If your shirt has a logo on it, swap it out for one that doesn’t. Also, avoid patterns and opt for solid colors instead. The emphasis should be on you, not the loud Pucci print you’re wearing.

3. Shoot in the shade. If you’re facing into the sun, the result will be a photo with you squinting — not flattering. Shoot in the shade so you can relax your facial muscles and produce a better headshot. For best results, make sure you have even lighting.
4. Stand up straight. The camera adds 10 pounds. Good posture makes you 10 pounds less. You do the math.
5. Crop tight. The standard headshot will include your head, neck, and shoulders. Zoom in and crop everything else out. On LinkedIn and Twitter where the profile pictures are small, a tight crop will be in your favor. Here is an example of a tighter crop.

Read More… 

Photo by Joel Coleman of Liberty University

1. Get to know your professor. Whether it’s taking advantage of your professor’s open door policy to answer your pressing questions, or simply interacting in class, make sure you get acquainted with your professor. How can they write a glowing letter recommendation for you at the end of the semester if they haven’t interacted with you and don’t know who you are? (For extra credit, read 10 ways to impress your professor!)
2. Make time to make friends. Some people make friends easily and for some of us, it takes a little more effort. Get involved in clubs on campus, putting yourself in places where you can meet new people. Make eye contact and smile rather than spending your time texting or playing games on your smart phone — you’ll seem more friendly approachable that way. 
3. Find a part time job in your industry. Earlier this summer, Career Expert Tim Funk shared some excellent reasons why college students should get a part time job in the industry they’re studying. After maintaining a part time job in the IT field for the last three years, Tim skipped the internship and landed an enviable job with one of the “big 5″ accounting firms before even graduating. After practicing what he preached, he’s reaping the benefits from it.

Read More… 

Like Voldemort come back to life again, college looms in the distance, its jaws opening wide to swallow students in a torrent of essays, textbook readings, homework assignments, and group projects. To help you avoid the phrase, “Oh shoot. I forgot to ____”, here is a quick to-do list to look at before going back to college.


Financial Aid/Scholarships: If you have earned a scholarship or a grant, make sure that it is in order prior to beginning your classes. Some scholarships require you to send your grades in, a class schedule, or letters or recommendation. Satisfy their requirements as soon as you can as some scholarship providers are stingy with their money. Find out ahead of time what the deadlines are for paying college tuition. If you need a loan, look for low-interest rate loans. CollegeBoard suggests Federal Perkins Loans and Federal subsidized Stafford loans.

Insurance: Many colleges require students to have health insurance. If your parents are willing to foot the bill, that’s great. Otherwise, you’ll have to investigate your options. Some universities offer health services to students. Others students are left to find their own alternatives.

Locker: Those living a good distance from college may want to consider renting a locker. Locker prices generally cost about $10 per semester (about $2 per month). If you think it’s worth it to have a “closet away from home”, you may wish to check your school’s website for more details.

Meal Plan: Many universities have cafeterias on campus where you can be treated to the best cuisine a cafeteria can offer (I’ll let you interpret that any way you wish). Having a meal plan spares you the trouble of cooking during the week of midterms. For those of us who are not restaurant chefs, it can also give you a bit more variety in your menu. Unfortunately, meal plans are usually pretty pricey. If you wish to become the first freshman billionaire, you might want to stick with cheese quesadillas.

Course Schedule: This year I was slow to start registering for classes. If you’re like me, you might try taking another look at your university’s website to see if any of those classes have opened up once more. Take a look at the classes you couldn’t get: it’s possible they’ve opened up again. It’s always a good idea to make out a plan for college. Once you figure out your major, plan what classes you’ll be taking each semester (ideally).
Read More… 

Make your college relationship work! Photo: Andres Rodriguez

If your busy college schedule is cramping your relationship style, here are 10 ways you can make your relationship work at college.

1. Have breakfast together. Everyone’s gotta eat, so why not find catch a few minutes before classes to grab breakfast together. A balanced breakfast will start the day right and you’ll have a reason to get up.
2. Exercise together. Even if you can’t afford a gym membership on a college student budget, you can go for a walk, run, or bike ride together.
3. “Study” together. You know, on the third floor of the library.
4. Play hookie. Don’t get us wrong, we’re all for going to class (it’s a necessary requirement forgraduation, after all) but if you have a class you’re totally rocking, it doesn’t hurt to play hookie once in a while.
5. Take an online class. If you need flexibility in your college schedule, online classes will give you the freedom you need to finish your coursework at your own pace.

Read More… 

Take a road trip! Photo: Jek in the Box

It’s not uncommon for us college students to count down the days until summer vacation. But once June rolls around, it’s amazing how there’s a surprising lack of things to do and we’re left feeling bored and uninspired. If you need some inspiration this summer, here are 25 ways to beat summer boredom that won’t break the bank.

1. Join a book club. The structure of a book club will help you finish books on time and inspire thought-provoking discussions. The simple act of reading and talking about what you learn will keep you sharp for September.
2. Go on a road trip. If there’s nothing to do in your town this summer, hit the open road! With KOA’s along the way, you don’t need to pay for a motel, sleep under the stars, and still have a shower in the morning.
3. Prepare for the school year. Get your textbooks together, apply for your major, or research which schools you might like to apply to for grad school.
4. Start a blog. Julie Powell blogged her way through Julia Child’s cook book and ended up in the NY Times with her own movie. Blogging gives people a voice. Start a blog through WordPress or Blogger and chronicle your summer!
5. Take an online class. If you’ve been dying to learn Spanish, what better time than this? Many online colleges have online summer classes you can take that don’t require prerequisites.
   
6. Start a movie marathon. If you’ve been dying to watch Lord of the Rings or Batman all year, hunker down, draw the blinds, pop some popcorn and have a movie marathon.
7. Get a job to fund your other summer festivities.
8. Stargaze. The Perseid meteor shower is August 12 and 13. Grab a blanket, your interest, and get out of the city to watch nature’s fireworks.
9. 

   “The Wishing Well” by Gordon Marino

   Start a band. Put those Rock Band skills to good use! Round up some friends and start your own band. Record a CD using Garageband, get a busking license and play downtown for donations with CDs for sale.

10. Take a class. Learn to cook Italian food (a skill that always impresses the ladies), paint like Picasso, recite Shakespeare, or breakdance.
11. Get outdoors! Enjoy the great outdoors by hiking, camping, and fishing.
12. Go the library. Not only is it air-conditioned, but there are countless different ways to occupy yourself. Books aside, you can put up your feet and flip through all the latest magazines, surf the web, or try to catch a cute stranger’s eye.

More… 

Excited to graduate college? Photo: Patrick Binder on Flickr

You’re about to graduate college (!!!) and you’ve gotten over the graduation anxiety, but want to make sure you make the most of the rest of your college experience. Here’s a list of 25 things to do before you graduate college.

1. Earn a degree. First things first. You can’t graduate without it. Preferably in something you care about.
2. Get involved in an organization you believe in. Joining a club or organization will help you meet new people and give you a great sense of purpose and belonging. You never know, you may have an opportunity to protest on campus!
3. Take classes you like. Make sure you’ve taken classes that are just for you and have nothing to do with your degree. Golf, bowling, swing dancing, organic chemistry… whatever floats your boat.
4. 

   Photo: VIU on Flickr

   Study abroad. If you are dying to get out, why not study abroad? You’ll make new friends, challenge your perceptions of the world, expand your horizons, and may even learn a language. Your life will never be the same.

5. Get a letter of recommendation. Hopefully you have been building positive relationships with your college professors so you can get a glowing letter of recommendation.
6. Pull an all-nighter. It’s part of the package.
7. Network for future employment. Go to professional organizations. Meet people, shake hands, exchange business cards. Learn the art of small talk.
8. Exercise regularly. There’s no better way to lose the freshman 15 than exercising regularly, ideally 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes at a time. You’ll be happier and healthier for it.
9. Leave town for Spring Break. Make new college memories by getting out of town for a week over Spring Break. Sit on the beach, sip margaritas, and work on your summer tan.
10. Do an internship. It’s amazing what you can learn outside the classroom. Don’t be afraid to go after what it is you want to do, even if they haven’t publicized an internship opportunity. You may be pleasantly surprised.
11. Go to class. This will help with graduation.
12. 

    Photo: Bock Bilbo on Flickr

    Go see a concert. A friend of mine finished his finals one year, hopped in his car and drove 6 hours to watch U2 play, then drove back. Especially if your college is in close proximity to cool events, you’ve gotta check ‘em out!

13. Thank a professor. Take a few minutes and thank the professor that made the biggest impact on your life during college. Teachers teach to make a difference in the world and are rewarded when they see their impact. Handwritten notes give them something tangible to hold onto.
14. Update your resume. Chances are your resume has changed over the last four (or more) years.
15. Take advantage of the student discount. Work that student ID and get a discount off bus passes, groceries, movies, and even frozen yogurt.
16. Talk to the guy/gal you’ve been admiring from afar all semester. You may never see them again. Strike up a conversation and ask them out on Saturday night. What do you have to lose?
17. Create a LinkedIn profile and get connected. Like Career Coach Jennifer Armitstead says, stay in touch with your fellow students, professors, and visiting experts. When you recommend others, you may be surprised how happy people are to return the favor.
18. Read a book you want to, rather than one you have to. It’s always better that way.
19. Turn in an assignment early. Your stress level will go way down!
20. Attend a sports event on campus. Show your team spirit and cheer on your team!
21. Hone your elevator pitch. Before you venture out into the world, take some time to practice your elevator pitch in the mirror.
22. Take a road trip. If you’re tired of the same old routine, call up some friends, pack a bag, and then start driving. Check out some of the must-see places in the area.
23. Kick the procrastination habit. This might be a lifelong pursuit…
24. Learn to communicate effectively. Heavens knows you’ll get enough experience with your college roommates! Communication is something you will use for the rest of your life.
25. Establish a personal brand. Decide a few things you want to be known for professionally and make it part of your personal brand.