I’ve watched my older friends don the traditional regalia, diploma in hand, smiling as they pose for photographs capturing the day they worked for after 3, 4, 5, or more years. I never imagined my own 5-year college experience would end so quickly. My friends, gorgeous and handsome in those photos capturing their momentous accomplishment and their own transitions also over time showed me how post-grad, although rightly celebrated, is not always what it seems. What happens after the robe and cords come off, and Monday rolls around? What about when there is no class to attend, no online Zoom to log onto, and you’ve moved away from friends and environments that have been familiar for so many years? The “normal” becomes completely new and many are forced into feeling a little lost. Change is inevitable, but as I am now about to dawn those robes myself and take those photos, I understand that the hard part about post-grad isn’t really the change at all, more so, the waiting game. 

If you asked me this time last year where I would be living right now and what I would be doing I might have said, “living in New York City working for a fabulous magazine” or “living out on the west coast learning the ins and outs of the PR world” but I definitely would not have said, “living in my hometown ten minutes away from the house I grew up in and running a platform for post-grads with a growing and loyal following on Instagram.” Graduating from college or just being a 20 something, in general, is a very confusing and overwhelming time. So, I’m hoping to change that narrative through the content on the Dear Diary website and through our social media platforms. Read more about Dear Diary here…

Whether you plan to open a pizzeria near Logan Square or develop a fashion line to sell nationwide, your business plan should start with trademark registration. Your registered trademark will serve as brand recognition, in Philadelphia and across the country, as you begin to build a loyal customer base. These benefits, in conjunction with the use of the ® symbol, will provide protection and validity to your brand now and well into the future.

Back to school is a time of excitement, nervousness, anxiousness, and new beginnings for students and teachers alike. Let’s face it, back to school is busy and challenging enough. Throw a pandemic and completely novel landscape for learning and you have, well, 2020. We talked to 8 outstanding teachers ranging in position, experience, school type, and grade level about why they chose teaching as their profession. We’re highlighting their tenacity teaching through what is definitely, not what they imagined. Read about their experiences below! 

Diversity is not a problem. It's not a bad word, nor a negative conversation. Our apprehension to engage in productive, respectful discussions, our failure to talk with one another -  that's where we fall short. In terms of diversity, it's not just a matter of the physical diversity of the individual. It's not merely about race or gender, as most assume. It's equally as important to consider the variance of skills, talents, and attributes of individuals within an organization to make the smartest teams, the most productive departments, the most "diverse" and inclusive companies. 

When she’s not in classes, find her presenting to over 600 employees at the Hershey Company’s National Sales Meeting, giving a TEDx talk at a local high school, running a Board meeting, or participating as a member of the inaugural #AExMECouncil with international clothing brand, American Eagle. A 21-year-old Music Industry major at Drexel University, Gabby Frost might seem like your typical college student, but what many don’t realize is that in addition to her schoolwork and somewhat ordinary college life, Gabby is a successful entrepreneur of her six year old non-profit, Buddy Project.

Recently, I was selected to give a TEDx talk at my university’s business school. They assigned two professional mentors to help me develop my talk and act as resources in creating my content, Raquel Arredondo and Caitlin Mahon A week after my talk, I can’t help but think about and reflect on all of the incredible mentors who have been and continue to be such a large part of my professional journey. It’s also made me think about why mentorship is so important in the business world and how I can be one to others. Here’s how to be a good mentor even if you don’t think you’re mentor material.

I understand interviewers and professors ask the “What is your five year plan?” question to get a general sense of what your future goals are and to encourage you to ask yourself what you want for your future. What’s not commonly emphasized is that it’s okay to not stick to that plan. Your 5 Year Plan should serve as your rough draft, not table of contents. Although I get the concept, I can’t get behind it.

HERE ARE MY FIVE REASONS WHY I BELIEVE THE FIVE YEAR PLAN IS COMPLETE B.S.!

We’ve all been there…the dreaded networking events that happen bimonthly or semi-annually that everyone pretends to love, but in reality hates. This article will expose some ways in which you can make yourself more comfortable when walking into the shark tank at your next event. Turn your anxiety into authority with these simple hacks to “work the room” and maximize your time. Here are this Blonde in Business’ 5 Tips to Better Networking.