Now, I’m working full time in the E-Commerce business and really couldn’t be happier. Everything a recent grad could want in a first job, I have. I’m learning something new every single day. I have incredible coworkers who come from all different backgrounds and bring many perspectives to the table. I’m motivated, intrigued, inspired and most of all – growing. It is really incredible.

Anyway – I didn’t resurrect the blog to brag about landing an awesome job right after graduation. I’m aware of how a very specific combination of hard work, determination, luck and fate perfectly positioned me. However, this blog needs a new focus. In 2009, I was a college student, intern, part time small business worker and your typical, scared, teenager-turning-adult. I was convinced I was having a quarter life crisis in the midst of my fear of failure in life. In hindsight and in talking to peers, I am not the only college student to have a life crisis as they near graduation. Actually, “quarter life crisis” is an actual term now. When all you hear are “the job market is absolutely horrendous,” “lawyers are out of work right now,” and “you couldn’t have graduated in a worse year,” the pressure builds. We spend 4 years of your lives to obtain a piece of paper that is supposed to prepare us for the working world and yet, we are bombarded with negative messages about the job market. And yes – while the job market IS horrendous, there are jobs out there - but sending your resumes to random people and crossing your fingers isn’t going to work in this economy. 5 years ago, maybe. Now, no.

It is drilled into our heads in college that Networking is the golden key to getting a job. Indeed it is. However, we’re only really taught that networking involves talking to people. In reality, networking has a beginning, middle and end. It isn’t only a conversation.

The beginning is research: Are you interested in Sports Marketing? Google information about Sports Marketing Networks and Associations. Scour LinkedIn for Sports Marketing Professional meet ups and conferences. Do you want to work for Google? Search online and trade publications for the names of people who work within the organization and see if anyone relevant is speaking at a conference or event nearby. You should immediately subscribe to any trade publications that live within your professional interests – and most of them are free.

The middle is actually going: It is a start to know that the VP of Acquisitions for X Real Estate Firm is speaking in Manhattan, but your next step is to actually go and have a conversation with that person. It doesn’t have to be a daunting experience. Most speakers expect just what many people are petrified to do. After the speaker presents, simply ask for a moment of their time and tell them that you enjoyed their presentation and found it very relevant. Go in with a firm handshake. At the end, exchange business cards. Was that really so hard?

Lastly – the follow up. Some people automatically email that person, thank them for the chat and ask if there are any open positions. This isn’t the route I would go (or went, for that matter). Ask for an informational interview. People love to talk about themselves – it’s human nature. See if they can carve out 10 minutes to talk to you about what they do on a daily basis. Personally, I would pick the brain of ANY professional who would talk to me. I believe there is a proven method to success (in general terms) and simply talking to people who are successful will give you an idea of where the common ground is. They might not be able to hand you a job offer and a six figure salary 10 minutes after meeting you, but if you take an interest, show enthusiasm and simply make an effort, when something comes up, you might get a surprise phone call or email.

Now that I have went off on a tangent about networking and job seeking – if you haven’t figured it out by now – I think I’m going to take you on my journey as I progress in my professional career. It is a nice progression from my Ivanka Trump and Katrina Campins posts from 2009 and I think it can be helpful for many people across the board. Or at least I hope so…

But Ivanka Trump has made certain that her name was a combination of her family and her personal and professional identity. At just 27 years old, this commercial real estate powerhouse and entrepreneur has catapulted herself to success. In her new book, The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life, Ivanka not only tells of growing up with the last name Trump, but shares valuable tips for young women just beginning their professional careers.

It would be unfair to say that Ivanka rode on her father’s coattails, and she makes this point clear within the first couple of pages. Yes, having Donald Trump as your dad has its perks: top-shelf education, invaluable experiences and precious guidance. However, Ivanka explains that she was taught early on that you must work for what you want, just as her father did. While real estate success runs in the Trump family, it wasn’t handed to them. You get out of something what you put into it. If you think that Ivanka’s success only comes from her last name, she offers three simple words, “Get over it.”

At a very young age Ivanka showed an interest in real-estate and construction. She always knew that her professional desire was to work with her father. Within a couple of years of her college graduation, she took her seat as Vice President of development and acquisitions in the Trump Organization. Now, it is important to note that many individuals working for the company saw Ivanka as many of you did: placed in the organization with a silver-spoon in her mouth and an office with a leather chair warmed up for her by Daddy Trump. She felt the need to prove her worth. By negotiating deals and heading up various projects, Ivanka quickly turned the doubters into believers. Why would Donald Trump, one of the smartest businessmen of all time, put his daughter in such a powerful post if he thought she couldn’t thrive?

The primary reason I decided to read The Trump Card was selfish I suppose. I desired tips and information on how it would help me start branding myself for my professional career ahead. It is in this aspect, I feel that Ivanka’s book is different from any other self-help book on the shelves. Every story Ivanka tells is filled with information that can guide any young woman in the right direction. You are not learning these tips from someone who might as well be anonymous and could be writing nothing but opinion. The reader knows right from the start that the advice held within these 241 pages can and will propel you to professional achievement. I mean, after all, the name “Trump” might as well be synonymous with “success.”

Here are some of the things I took away from the book that I intend on using in the near future:

• Put the BlackBerry down: You don’t need to have it in your hands twenty-four seven. Check it every 15 minutes, but if you see the red indicator light blinking, resist the urge to check your email or text until you finish the task at hand.
• Networking: This is a no-brainer, but what Ivanka makes quite clear is that no contact is too small or too big. She tells of a story when she wrote a handwritten letter to Carlos Slim, the leader of Mexican real estate development, thinking she’d never get a response. A week later, she had received an invitation to meet with him and pick his brain for some advice and tips. It’s like the New York Lottery: You never know.
• Put in the extra effort: Come into the office an hour early and stay an hour late. These little nuances will be noticed by your boss and when it comes time for a promotion or an interesting assignment, you might get the upper hand.
• Adapt, Change, Grow: There are two different business strategies in a bear and a bull market. There are different ways to handle a project in Dubai and a project in Chicago. Always keep your mind open to new ventures and connections that maybe didn’t make sense a year ago. You must always be attentive to changes and be able to handle them accordingly. The minute you close your mind to something, a lucrative deal could slip away.
• Do your research: Ivanka explains that when she launched her jewelry line, the Ivanka Trump Collection, she immersed herself in the field. She talked to diamond experts, sales people, her target customer, the suppliers, and anyone knowledgable she could get her hands on. The more you know, the better your choices will be. Knowledge is power, and confidence is key.

The Trump Card contains everything a young female professional needs to start her career. I felt like I identified with Ivanka which made the book an even more enjoyable experience. She is still young, and she has been where I currently stand. She has been unsure of what she wants to do in the future. She has worried that she would never be able to break out of her father’s enormous shadow and create an image of her own. She has stayed up all night studying for finals. She has been whistled at by a construction worker on the street. You can navigate this uncertain and shaky territory and forge a road to professional triumph. Ivanka makes it clear in The Trump Card that with some drive and passion, and a couple of useful tips along the way, you can play your cards correctly and win with a royal flush.

I advise all young college women to read The Trump Card. I’d also like to offer a congratulations to Ivanka on her marriage this past weekend. She was a beautiful bride in a Vera Wang gown, which is sure to inspire a sleeves trend this upcoming wedding season.

Follow Ivanka on Twitter to get the latest straight from her! http://twitter.com/IvankaTrump

Once again, Katrina, thank you so much for being such an amazing role model. This will definitely not be the last time you appear on these pages!

“I talk the talk and walk the walk and have an unwavering passion to leave this world a better place.” – Katrina Campins

My next post will highlight Ivanka Trump, daughter of Donald Trump. Her book, The Trump Card, was released this week. I’ll be reading it and telling you all my thoughts on the book and some of the things she has done.

Until then, as Katrina says, have a greater day!

- Britt

Many of you might know Katrina Campins as the star of Bravo’s series Miami Social. Some of you might remember Katrina from season 1 of Donald Trump’s The Apprentice. A select few of you might even know her as the female real-estate powerhouse of Miami. But truth be told, Katrina Campins encompasses many more impressive qualities and accomplishments.

We’ll start by examining how Katrina Campins built her brand by first building herself. At the tender age of 18 she became a licensed real-estate broker. She earned her first six-figure paycheck at age 17. Katrina attended the University of Miami and majored in International Finance and Marketing, graduating with a 4.0 grade point average. In 2004 she launched The Campins Company which today encompasses many facets of business, including marketing, production and a sports & entertainment division. In total, Katrina has represented 160 high-end clients and has yielded over $520 Million in sales. Her clientele includes rapper Lil Wayne, producer and music artist Timbaland, various NFL players and other sports professionals. These factors have led Katrina to exactly where she envisioned she’d be: at the top 1/2 pecent of realtors nationwide. Her company does not solely focus on Miami – The Campins Company is a national brand. She has been recognized by many publications and television programs such as Forbes, ESPN, Variety, NY Times and People Magazine. In just a few short years, Katrina has combined hard work with networking to form an impressive and powerful business doing what she loves.

Katrina is not only an inspiration because of everything she has accomplished in such a short period of time, but by the way she conducts herself.  She is the perfect combination of classiness, compassion and charity. Her involvement with various charitable ventures and organizations keeps her humbled in a world fueled by greed. Through reading her blogs and tweets, I have gained a real sense of Katrina’s inner self and I truly believe that there is not a bad bone in her body. She is always kind and gracious and treats everyone with the same level of respect. I am reminded of an episode of Miami Social where she and Hardy take Ariel to dinner to convince him to think before he speaks. Katrina eloquently told him that sometimes he comes across very judgmental thus making that person defensive. Taking time out of her busy schedule to try and help Ariel was not something she was obligated to do, but she did it regardless simply because she saw the good in Ariel underneath his shell of hostility. It is a firm belief of mine that the reason Katrina has remained so successful not only lies on the fact that she is brilliant and driven, but that she never regards anyone with disrespect, rudeness or judgment. This makes her a beautiful person on the inside and out. In a blog she writes, “I learned the difference between my ego and my opinion,” which keeps her poised.

For anyone who watched Miami Social, it was easy to see how Katrina balanced her work and her social life – her work was her social life. As she stated in her blog, she was influenced by Donald Trump who advised her to make her work more pleasurable, therefore no balance was required. Katrina also prides herself on being a spiritual person. From episode 1 of Miami Social you could notice that she wore many bracelets on her wrists. While reading her blogs on Bravo.com, she mentioned that each one has a meaning – a spiritual reminder if you will. She either made them herself or they were made for her. With an interest in Esoteric Astrology, or the focus of spiritual evolution, she is attentive to her own spiritual path and higher purpose. It is one of the main driving factors behind the success that is Katrina Campins.

Katrina Campins, to me, is the epitome of career inspiration. She encompasses all of the qualities necessary to be a successful woman in business: determination, humility, intelligence, courteousness, diligence and professionalism. Her career is her life because it is her passion; it is not about a paycheck. She thrives outside her comfort zone because she knows that is where opportunity lies. As a junior in college, I am thinking about my career relentlessly and I find myself relating to Katrina’s professional life often. “What would Katrina Campins do?” That might sound ridiculous, but I believe that Katrina’s answer could never be wrong. She has built a rock-solid brand in 5 years that has thrived in a bad market while effortlessly maintaining her classy image. I can only hope to emulate Katrina’s professionalism and accomplishments through my own approach.

There is one quote I refer to every day to keep me focused on my goals: “My career is my self portrait which is why I autograph it with excellence” – Katrina Campins

Make sure you visit all of Katrina’s websites and her store. I’m especially excited for her bracelet collection, “Brace Yourself,” which is coming out very soon! Follow her on Twitter for Details!

• http://www.katrinacampins.com
• http://www.thecampinscompany.com
• http://www.tccse.com
• http://www.twitter.com/katrinacampins
• http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katrina-Campins/89649558188

Photo Credit: Kristy Furg