March 2005

In the Know

If you study TV shows like “Friends” and “The Real World,” you might begin to feel like your 20s just don’t stack up. After all, such shows paint a breezy picture of a carefree, fun life that is more exciting from one minute to the next. Those of us actually in our 20s know that isn’t always the case. Enter Quarterlifecrisis.com, an online community for 20-somethings battling with the challenges of an often hectic and exhilarating time. A companion to the 2001 New York Times bestseller “Quarterlife Crisis: The Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties,” the site offers resources, message boards and career advice tailored to your needs.

Summer is fast approaching, and that means that wedding season is almost upon us. But as your friends tie the knot, is your stomach tied up in financial knots because of wedding expenses? The cost of travel, gifts, bridesmaid/groomsman ensembles, showers and bachelor/ette parties can add up. Carolyn Bigda, “Your Money” columnist at the Chicago Tribune, offers these tips on how to make your dollars stretch in the face of your friends’ wedded bliss:

• Discuss your financial concerns with the couple if you’re a bridesmaid or groomsman. If you can’t afford the tux or dress, thoughtfully ask if you might play another role in the wedding.
• Cut travel costs by booking with friends. American Airlines offers a 5 percent discount if guests book together—hotel and rental car companies may offer similar deals.
• Gifts don’t have to be expensive—the best ones simply keep the couple's tastes in mind. Consider purchasing gifts with other friends or family members.

Association News

Have you visited inCircle, the Alumni Association’s online directory and networking community, yet? Now is a great time as we’re rewarding our inCircle users. Now through June, one daily random visitor to inCircle will win a free Michigan T-shirt. On June 30, we’ll give away four iPod minis to inCircle users. We’re also now offering free, 30-day trials to U-M alumni who are not members of the Alumni Association so you can invite all your friends—whether members or not—to join your inCircle network. For complete details on inCircle, including how to get started and the contests, visit our Web site.

Career

They say the best time to look for a new job is when you already have one. But once you get that new offer, how do you gracefully exit your old job without erasing everything you have accomplished? Hatch Magazine has crafted a strategy for a smooth departure:

• Don’t resign from your old position until you have a signed agreement and start date from your new employer.
• Tell your supervisor first, and always give at least two weeks notice.
• Be modest—don’t gab gratuitously about your new gig.
• Stay on top of your work, right up until the minute you leave. Adhere to office protocol so you maintain your persona of professionalism.
• Organize your files so it’s easy for your replacements, and make sure you train your successors well.
• Don’t take anything that doesn’t belong to you.

Whether you're in a new job or still plugging away at your first one, there's no reason you shouldn't make your surroundings as comfortable as possible. You spend more than 2,000 hours in your office or cubicle during a year, so make it your own. But don't go overboard. Follow your supervisor's lead—take cues from his or her décor. Make sure everything you decorate with is not distracting to you or passersby. Consider adding something that will serve as a conversation piece with coworkers. And, most importantly, never select anything that might be deemed offensive. For more ideas, visit JobWeb.com.