College Gloss: Future

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Write for College Gloss this Summer/Fall!

Get published on College Gloss, or get involved with the website! College Gloss is looking for volunteer contributing writers, editors, and staff for this summer and fall.

Writers - Writers contribute one article per week to College Gloss on college fashion, food, fitness, beauty, dorm decor, and fun. The time commitment is about 1-3 hours per week.
Editors - Editors edit the articles for grammar, spelling, and format. Editors should be publishing articles daily, and the work load is about 3-5 hours per week.
Marketing/PR - Contributors for marketing and PR will work on advertisement sales and increasing our presence online and on campuses nationwide. Must be creative and a self-starter.

To apply for any of these positions, please email stephany@collegegloss.com. Writers and editors should also submit a writing sample. All positions are unpaid and are not for school credit.

What Resources to Use to Find Stellar Internships

Internships are not just about gaining experience for your resume. They are an opportunity to see whether you truly want to pursue the field after graduation, to make connections, and to learn skills you might call upon after college. However, not all internships are equal. At some, you might be toting coffee and organizing files all day, but at others you might have the opportunity to become involved with hands-on projects. How do you know the difference? Where do you find the stellar internships?

General: Intern Queen
From PR to legal internships, Intern Queen has a valuable list of top notch internships available for college women. Plus, their own interns give you the scoop on internship how-to's on the Intern Queen blog.

Journalism/Editorial: Ed 2010
For America's next top journalists and editors, Ed 2010's internship postings give you the chance to work at top magazines as well as smaller publications.

Fashion: The Fashion Intern
If you're set on entering the fashion industry, check The Fashion Intern, which posts internships on design, product management, PR, styling, and more.

Business/Finance and Engineering: Your school's recruitment process
In both business and engineering, working with a national firm can give you a big leg up for jobs after graduation. Universities often offer summer internship recruitment for business firms and engineering companies. Make sure to check your school's Career Center to see when the recruitment process begins.

Biology, Nursing, and Pre-Med: RIT's Internship List
RIT has compiled a list of 2011 internships and summer programs for biomedical and pre-med students. Otherwise, volunteer at a professor's research lab or at your local hospital.

Public Relations: PRSSA
Interested in public relations? PRSSA has an extensive list of public relations and social media internships from all over the nation.

Entrepreneurs: Youtern
If you want real world experience in a start up company, Youtern is your stop. With start up internships, you'll often get hands on experience working with the top of the company, and you'll get to see how they build their company from the ground up.

While internship recruitment goes on up until the beginning of summer, most of the coveted internships fill up by the end of winter or start of spring. Start looking soon, and best of luck.

UW's Fashion Mag Introduces the World of Fashion Blogging

University of Wisconsin fashion magazine, MODA, dubbed the week of March 19 Madison Fashion Week and celebrated by bringing in some of the Midwest’s best-dressed fashion bloggers to share tips on getting started with a personal blog.

The panel included bloggers from southern Wisconsin, Indiana and the Windy City.

“You need to be a storyteller,” said What I Wore blogger Jessica Quirk. “Your blog doesn’t need to be about what’s happening at fashion week. Blogging is almost like a resume in and of itself; you can show it to employers. It’s something you can be proud and passionate about.”

Quirk said she began by showing an interest in photography and taking pictures of her daily outfits while working in New York City. Four years later, after a relocation to Bloomington, Indiana, Quirk’s blog is now her career.

A highlight of the panel was Chicago’s Style Block blog. After working together at shopedropoff.com, an online designer consignment store, five girls decided to share everything fashion, food and fun about Chicago life.

“We took work and made it into something fun,” said Corri McFadden, eDrop-Off owner and Style Block writer.

“The great thing about blogging is that you can start now,” Style Block writer Chelsea Lanvin said. “If it’s interesting people are going to pick up on that. If you want to talk about fashion, blogging is where you need to start.”

The girls from Style Block have opportunities coming at them from all directions from sponsorships to reality TV shows.

“The key to making a blog into a successful passion is consistency and gaining a loyal readership,” McFadden said. “Use your opportunities to network. It’s all about connections. Always direct people back to your blog. Be your own brand.”

For many up-and-coming fashionistas, getting your start in the journalism world is the most widely chosen path.

Style Block contributor Erin Brennan said magazines, media and blogs complement each other.

“Blogging is just getting your feet wet,” Brennan said.

“A blog is essentially a journal, whether it’s giving advice or inspiration,” McFadden added. “You can take it in any direction you want.”

By: Jourdan Miller | Image: Weheartit

Four Things You Should Know Before Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is one of the best opportunities to take advantage of during college. You have the chance to explore new cultures, meet amazing people and travel more in several months than you probably will throughout the rest of your life. However, before jetting off to a foreign continent for four months, there are about a thousand tiny details that need to be ironed out.

After getting transfer credits approved, obtaining a passport and visa, haggling with financial aid and booking flights, it is almost surreal that all this preparatory work leads to an actual destination. Relieved to have conquered the tedious steps, it’s easy to breeze through all the other preparatory steps and center your focus on your destination.

I am currently studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and I can testify about how difficult it is to be completely prepared for a semester abroad. There are many factors I hadn’t considered before leaving, and I often wish I had someone to consult about what to bring with me or how to better prepare myself for my time away. So reaching out to all those potential travelers, here are a few valuable tips to help you plan for studying abroad in any country.

1. Bring outlet converters and adapters.

Once you leave the U.S., electrical outlets will no longer resemble the face of those at home. I suggest purchasing universal outlet converters and adapters before you leave, as they can be expensive in foreign countries and are often difficult to find. The adapter will change the foreign plug so that you can connect your device to the outlet. This does not change the voltage, though, so you will definitely need a converter or transformer to make the wattage of your device compatible with the country’s power supply. You should also consider leaving expensive hair straighteners or blow dryers at home. They generate a lot of heat, and even with a converter, the differing voltage can blow them out.

Kara, a junior at Quinnipiac University, regrets bringing her GHD straightener with her to Spain.

“I was using an adapter, a converter, and even a surge protector, and my straightener still blew out. If you absolutely need a flatiron, you should just buy a cheap one once you’re abroad.”

2. Don’t leave your phone at home!

Many students opt not to bring their smart phone while studying abroad, worried about loss or theft during their travels. If you are careful with your belongings though, these devices are great tools to communicate with fellow study abroad friends and loved ones at home. Some popular texting apps I’ve encountered are What’s App and textPlus, which both allow you to send text messages for free through Wi-Fi. Another App I highly recommend is Skype for iPhone. Even if you’re off in Amsterdam for the weekend, you can use this free app to call, instant message, or video chat friends and family. Another variation of the Skype app costs about $7 and enables you to call any phone in the U.S.

Cara, a sophomore at Emerson College and current study abroad student in Brazil, swears by the Skype app.

“Having Skpye on my iPhone has helped me keep communication with my grandparents, who don’t have computer access. And I don’t have to worry about spending minutes like friends with international phones.”

The Skype app is perfect for those who don’t want to bother with an international phone and have loved ones back home who aren’t so technologically savvy.

3. Stock up on tampons.

When I arrived in Argentina, I faced a rude awakening in the feminine products department. Tampons are very limited here, and I had to scour about six different drugstores before even finding O.B.’s (the kind without an applicator tip). Many countries, such as Egypt, don’t sell tampons at all, and most will not provide the brand or type that you are used to. So for a word to the wise, you should definitely stock up on Tampax before boarding the plane.

4. Keep your mind on your money.

Getting used to your country’s exchange rate is tough enough, but the foreign transaction fees your bank charges on purchases in a different currency are really a killer. Each time you swipe your card or pull cash from an ATM, the money you’re being charged but not spending begins to rack up. Before leaving, check to see if your bank at home has international branches in your abroad destination so that you are not charged a fee each time you visit the ATM. If you do not have the advantage of an international bank, I suggest withdrawing the maximum amount of cash per ATM visit. This way, you will only pay a nominal fee and will have enough money to last you a few weeks. Just make sure not to carry all your cash with you—pickpockets are very common in countries outside the U.S.

If you want more advice about your specific country of study, some great resources are LonelyPlanet.com or Fodors.com. I found a lot of useful information by researching student blogs who had studied in Buenos Aires last semester and actually based a lot of my packing decisions on their suggestions. My only other piece of advice before embarking on the greatest journey of your life: make the most of every opportunity, and take as many photos as possible! This is an experience you will want to remember, so don’t let anything or anyone hold you back.

By: Kimberly Suchy | Images: Pinterest

You Scored the Internship! Now What?

The new semester is here (or quickly approaching!) and you just landed your dream internship. Congratulations!

Internships can open doors for future career options, give you plenty of chances to network and get your name out there, and help you gain valuable firsthand experience in the field.

Based on my experiences as a former and current intern, I've put together a list of some questions you should answer now to prepare for your first day, final day and every day in between.

Where exactly are you interning? OK, so of course by now you should probably know what company (or business) you are going to be an intern for. And yes, you probably know where it is geographically-speaking. But what about the values of the company? What about its mission statement and goals? Do you know who's in charge? Take some time to research the company or business a bit and get to know it as well as you can so you can be as informed as possible.

What is expected of you? You should establish early on what your specific responsibilities will be as an intern. In general, a good intern is one who comes prepared and is eager and willing to work, doing whatever is needed. You should have the attitude that no task is too big or too small. Stay organized and professional, and be friendly to your peers.

Where do you park? Knowing the answer to this seemingly simple question is important because searching for a parking spot can often take up more time than you anticipated, which can make you late. A good rule of thumb is to always give yourself some extra time (about 15 minutes) for the unknown. If you make a habit out of coming in late and looking disheveled, you won't be leaving the best impression on your mentors and co-workers.

What will you eat for lunch? You may be surrounded by fast food, fancy bistros, cutesy diners, cafeteria options in the building, or maybe nothing at all. Plan accordingly so you don't end up either hungry or spending all your money on unhealthy or expensive options. Alternate days by eating a packed lunch in the fresh air one day and then checking out that little bistro the next. Also, carrying small, healthy snacks in your bag is a smart idea to keep your energy up and a growling stomach down before and after your lunch break.

What will you wear? Of course your fashion choices have a huge impact on how you are perceived during your internship. The dress code for each place is a little different, so it will be important to get a feel for this as early as possible. If you had an interview already, try to recall what the overall look was in the office (or building or room). If you have no idea, your best bet for your first day is to stick with a fairly conservative ensemble infused with a small dose of something that stands out.

With the help of Polyvore, I've put together some examples of how you can dress your professional best, whether it's in a way that's conservative, chic or conservative-chic.

A black-and-white striped top is strikingly simple, perfect to tuck into a bold blue pencil skirt. Err on the conservative side with a plain black blazer, or go chic with a cropped sequin jacket. Patent leather pumps add just enough high shine while suede wedges are subtly edgy.

Start with: Striped top: DAY Birger et Mikkelsen ($90), Pencil skirt: TopShop ($59)

Conservative: Blazer: TopShop ($62), Pearls: J. Crew ($98), Nude pumps: Nine West ($79)

Chic: Bib Necklace: 1928 Jewelry ($60), Sequin blazer: Dorothy Perkins ($59),

Wedges: Steve Madden ($99.95)

On days when you don't have much time to get ready, throw on an easy dress (with tights if it's chilly out). Pair with a bag that can hold all your intern essentials, and slip on funky flats or pretty pumps in an exotic animal print.

Conservative: Brown bag: DSW ($39.94), Belted dress: TopShop ($60),

Leopard flats: Steve Madden ($89.95)

Chic: Black tote: Dorothy Perkins ($49), Dress: Dorothy Perkins ($79), Velvet leopard pumps: Charlotte Russe ($34.50)

Red pants, while they may seem hard to pull off, can be paired with cream and black for a look that's pulled together. Add simple pearl jewelry and you're good to go. A red blazer adds interest to an embellished tank, and what could be more chic than glittery platform pumps?

Conservative: Ruffle blouse: We Like Fashion ($73), Red pants: Oasis ($50), Pearl studs: J. Crew ($50), Pearl bracelet set: JC Penney ($35.99), Black bow T-strap pumps: ModCloth ($34.99)

Chic: Red blazer: Warehouse ($56), Embellished top: TopShop ($84), Earrings: Max & Chloe ($45) High-waisted black pants: Warehouse ($40), Glitter heels: ModCloth ($34.99)

Being the new intern can seem daunting and unnerving, but with a dose of confidence and a few chic and conservative pieces in your wardrobe, you'll be able to conquer anything.

Good luck!

By: Anna Harms | Images: Weheartit, Polyvore

How to Rock Your Resume

With internship application season coming around, we're calling you out: it's time to update your resume. Whether you're a seasoned resume veteran or a first time resume writer, you'll want to follow these guidelines:

Keep it simple.
Your resume should only be one or two pages long. Make it easy for your potential employer to find information about you by separating sections on education, work experience, skills, leadership, and awards. Keep the content in one simple font and black ink. Make sure the title of each section (e.g. Work Experience) is in bold or somehow distinguished from the rest of the text.

Update your information.
If you're still in college, you probably move around every year. Make sure your address, cell phone number, and e-mail address are current and correct.

Be specific.
You did what? Specifically state what you did at each job or in each organization. Use active verbs to describe your job duties. You want to stand out among a sea of applicants who "helped with administrative duties."

High school doesn't count.
Cut the high school information. Unless you're a first semester freshman, high school extra curricular activities are irrelevant. Too much high school information can make you look like you haven't done much since then, and can clutter up your resume. The only exception is if you have relevant work experience from high school; we say leave it in.

Scour for typos.
You might be a qualified, amazing candidate, but one or two typos in your resume will have the employer believing that you're not serious about the job. Have someone else proofread your resume just to make sure you didn't miss any yourself.

List relevant information first.
Although there's debate whether you should put most recent or most relevant information first, we're on Team Most Relevant. Employers often only spend minutes, if not seconds, looking over resumes, and first impressions are important. While it's great that you're working at Starbucks this semester, employers will be much more impressed that stellar law internship you did last summer.

Take the time to update your resume, and check back for more information on internships and careers!

Five Tips to Landing an Incredible Internship

Wondering what to do in order to obtain a great internship? Follow these tips and you should be headed in the right direction.

Tip #1: Stay in touch with the people you meet.
Whether we’d like to admit it or not, connections account for receiving many positions in today’s society. That being said, it is very important to keep in touch with people who could potentially be your employers. Even if it’s just an occasional check-up with them to see how they're doing, you're still keeping your name in their minds and they will remember you. Take an interest in them. Praise them for recent work they’ve done that you’ve enjoyed. Let them know what you’ve been up to. Anything you can say to make your name stick in their minds will help.

Tip #2: Always be looking for internship opportunities.
Sometimes interns will drop out or decide to stop interning in the middle of their term, leaving companies with open positions to fill. Internships are always becoming available. You just have to look for them. Don’t panic, either. Companies work on different schedules, thus, they may not respond back to you as quickly as you would like. There are always opportunities available…somewhere. The key is just figuring out how to find them and not giving up your search.

Tip #3: Have a resume and clips ready at all times.
It’s very important to have a professional resume that you can give to potential bosses. Make sure it is clear, concise and error-free. It’s also useful to have samples of your work available. Some may want paper copies, and some may want online copies. Have both. No matter what, always be sure you are able to talk about the clips you have selected. If you submit samples of your work, you will most likely be questioned about them in the interview.

Tip #4: Do your research.
Before applying to a company, you need to be up-to-date on what the company is all about and the values and goals they hold. Going in without any idea will make you look stupid and will ultimately be a waste of their time, as well as yours. Know the directors or executives. Know the major issues they address. Be able to reference specific projects or issues they’ve conquered and be able to explain why and what you liked about them. If you reference specifics, the interviewer will be able to tell that you have done your research and really do want to land a position with their company. To land the spot you want, you've to put in some effort.

Tip #5: Make yourself stand out.
Companies receive so many resumes and cover letters that you need to make sure your resume and cover letter stand out, so you will land the position. With cover letters, especially, we have the ability to be creative. So why not take advantage of it? Your cover letter is the perfect spot to really make yourself stand out. Show your personality. Stray away from the traditional guidelines. People evaluating applications get sick of reading the generic cover letter saying how much someone wants to work for their company. Tell a story or a new idea you have for the company. Anything apart from the norm will make your application different from the rest and will stick out. Also, remember, to SHOW not TELL. Telling is boring. Showing is detailed, specific and INTERESTING.

Take in mind these five tips in preparing for your next internship. Make sure that you're prepared and showcasing yourself in the best light. Be professional, motivated and determined. But, most importantly, BE YOURSELF.

By Liz Stratman | Photo by weheartit.com

How to Get Organized

With the semester well on its way, it’s about that time when midterms and big assignments are stressing you out and clutter in your life can just throw you off balance. This is the perfect time to get yourself reorganized to ensure that you breeze through the rest of the semester with flying colors.

Here are some tips to get reorganized and stay focused:

1. Always carry your agenda/planner and log important dates

Carrying it with you everywhere you go will enable you to know exactly what your schedule looks like at any given time. Use different colored pens and highlighters to color code different events or appointments relating to school, work or extracurricular activities. Sticky notes and stickers will also come in handy and will make it fun to write in your agenda every day.

2. Clean out your school bag weekly

Sunday nights are usually when there is some downtime and you can take the time to prepare for the week of school that follows. It’s a good idea to take a few minutes to clean out your school bag. Take out any trash or things that you don’t need to eliminate any clutter.

3. Write a to-do list every morning

Writing out a to-do list will help you see what you have to accomplish by the end of each day and it makes it easier to tackle everything on that list. Crossing off one thing at a time is like a pat on the back that will keep you going. However, be realistic and don’t overwhelm yourself with a long list of things you know you will never get through. Start your list with the things that absolutely must get done that day and at the bottom of the list add the things you wish you get through, if you don’t get through the bottom of the list, it's not the end of the world, simply add it to your list the next day.

4. Clean out your school folder

By this time in the semester you have probably accumulated a stack of papers in your folder that perhaps you don’t need to carry around every day. Take out what you know you won’t need like graded tests or assignments and put them in a separate folder to leave at home. This takes off a little load out of your already cramped bag and makes it easy to find the papers you need if they are all in one place.

5. Revisit your class syllabi

Remember those multi-page contracts professors give out on the first day of class? If you haven’t looked at it since, now is a great time to reread it and cross out assignments you have already completed. Most importantly, look ahead at what is to come for the following weeks. Final papers, tests or semester projects may be coming up and it is important that you are aware in order to plan your time wisely.

By: Jessica Estrada | Image: Tumblr

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