Volunteering: Have Fun. Do Good!

16 Alexandrian Tweeps You Should be Following

Twitter is a great resource - if you selectively follow the right people! (There really is content other than, "I just visited Starbucks" out there).

If you want to keep in touch with all things Alexandria, VA - here are the twitter handles for 16 sources of great information. If you don't already, open an account and visit these profiles. Just click on "Follow" and you're all set!

 

1. @ACTionAlexVA
2. @Delraycentral
3. @AlexandriaPatch
4. @AlexandriaVAMom
5. @AlexandriaVA
6. @IMAGINEAlxndria
7. @ShopLocalAlexVA
8. @AlexandriaTalks
9. @AlexTimesNews
10. @DelrayPatch
11. @AlexLocal
12. @LocalKicks
13. @GoGreenAlx
14. @AlexandriaVAGov
15. @givebackalex
16. @AlexJaycees

What other tweeps cover our area? Use the comment box below and let me know.

A New Take on Mentoring

Recently I've read a lot of tweets and blog posts advising young professionals about mentors - why you need them, how to get them, how to keep them. I've rounded up some of the best advice I've seen so far and will feature them over the next few weeks. Why not get started today in finding a mentor or two?

I'll summarize the keys of one of the blog posts I've seen this week, from "Nametag Scott Ginsburg."

Shut up and Listen. This may seem counterintuitive, but it's really not. As Scott Ginsburg writes, one of the best techniques for learning on the job - and finding a mentor - is, "Show up, hang out, ask questions and shut up."

It's true, especially as a young professional, that it's hard to be taken seriously on the job. Everyone is 10+ years older than you, with a lot of great experience. Rather than jumping into a business meeting, for instance, and blasting away with your great ideas, first take a moment to listen, and ask questions. Most managers enjoy sharing what they know, and you'll learn a great deal. And learn about the managers and who you think would be a great asset for you in your career growth.

And, Scott's trademark advice ending for this idea: "As the youngest person in your office, you have an opportunity to bring new blood, fresh perspective and youthful energy to the workplace. Be patient. Be proactive. Be pointed. And be a problem solver."

And -- I know this approach works. I've done it myself and in my first out-of-college job, rose from staff assistant to vice president in four years, based in part on the way I was able to find mentors on the job.

Your Input Needed: Environmental Impact of Proposed Potomac Yards Metro

It’s getting closer to being official, folks! Chime in now with your input on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - attend a public “scoping” meeting at Cora Kelly Recreation Center (25 W. Reed Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305)this Thurs., Feb. 10, at either 4:30 or 6:30 p.m. to:

1. learn about the EIS process;
2. ask questions; and
3. comment on the purpose and need for the project, alternatives considered, potential environmental effects, and the public involvement and agency coordination process.

No RSVP is required.

The EIS will address potential environmental effects, including (but not limited to) the following—

• Neighborhood and community resources
• Noise and vibration
• Historic and cultural resources
• Parks and parklands
• Water resources, wetlands, and habitats
• Air quality and climate change
• Real estate and displacements

Visit the EIS website for:

• Background on the EIS and the project purpose and need
• Information on the alternatives that are being evaluated
• Reports, publications, technical memoranda, and other project files
• Updates on public meetings and other ways to get involved, and
• Maps of the study area and the alternatives.

The EIS team also welcomes emailed comments.

Find Learning Opportunities in Your Current Job

I saw an article today in the Wall Street Journal about staying put in your job despite dissatisfaction and it reminded me of a concept I learned in grad school while earning my master’s degree in administration – “developing in place.” The basic idea is based on what writer Dennis Nishi says,

“Dissatisfaction isn't always about money or benefits, according to a 2010 Monster.com poll. Employees also highly value opportunities for advancement, recognition, good bosses and co-workers, and challenging work.”

Take the Lead

I firmly believe that it’s up to us to take the lead ourselves to find opportunities to develop, find new opportunities for advancement as well as new challenges. Bosses can be too busy to be on the lookout for opportunities to help us grow as professionals, and don’t necessarily know your long-term aspirations or that you’re motivated by new challenges.

I too get bored if I’m not constantly learning something, and have been fortunate to have been able to work on new projects and keep the challenges coming. I suspect that many of you feel the same way; we don’t necessarily want to leave our jobs, we want to keep growing.

Practical Advice

Over the next several weeks I’m going to highlight ways that you can “develop in place,” or find on-the-job learning opportunities so you can increase job satisfaction and opportunities for advancement.

In the interim, here’s an interesting read from the U.S. Department of Labor on the subject of creating your own blueprint for “developing in place.”

Take Steps Now to Get Promoted at Work

As I read this article I was reminded again (like any of us need a reminder!) that it’s tough to find a job out there, and if we have a job we’re fortunate.

But what if you’re not entirely happy with what you’re doing now and want to move up the career ladder?

It turns out, says Linkedin, that timing is key. January, June and July are the top three months U.S. employees are promoted. This data was gleaned from 20 years’ worth of analysis of Linkedin profile changes. (By the way, if you’re not on Linkedin, I encourage you to set up a profile – it’s super easy to do and the benefits are amazing.)

What Employers Want

Employers look at accomplishments and new skill sets you’ve picked up, says the article’s author. Over the past almost 20 years I’ve been an association professional, I’ve found that to be true. And, I’ve leveraged my membership in the Alexandria Jaycees to help me learn “promotable skills” like project and people management.

Join the Jaycees

If you haven’t yet joined a professional association like Jaycees (who also have a strong community service mission), do it! What are you waiting for? You’ll meet potential friends, colleagues, and contacts for jobs. You’ll gain valuable skills. And, you’ll get the satisfaction of giving back to your community.

Jaycees = Promotable Skills

I’ve been an Alexandria Jaycee since 2002, and I can tell you without a doubt that the skills I learned there – serving as vice president in communications, membership, and management, then as president – helped me advance steadily in my career. In 2002 I was a membership manager; when I left that job 6 years later I was vice president of communications and community development.

As communications vice president, for example, I had the opportunity to write and edit articles, as well as lay out, the monthly newsletter; create email communications campaigns; and redesign the organization’s website.

Jaycees = Mentors

Along the way I had great mentors, like my good friend Kristie Kehoe, a Life Member of the Alexandria Jaycees, who was already a communications professional. She showed me the ropes and I am eternally grateful.  Since my tenure as vice president, many others have served in that role and have had the same opportunities – to try new skills, find a mentor, and practice in a worry-free (no, you don’t get fired if you make a mistake in the Jaycees organization!) environment.

June & July: Aim for that Promotion

As the Linkedin gurus say… timing is key. Take steps now to pick up project and people management skills, presentation and public speaking skills (Who isn’t afraid of speaking in public? Practice with the Jaycees – I promise it will be less scary as time goes on)… and so much more. Email my good friend Lillian Cheng, the 2011 president of the Alexandria Jaycees, to find out more and how to get involved. Check out their upcoming meetings and visit!

Why do I volunteer so much?

--Guest Post from Diana Karczmarczyk

 

It is not uncommon for me to spend my free time helping others. Why you may ask? I answer with why not? Was it not John F. Kennedy that said " ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country?" I think President Kennedy also knew that by the sheer act of volunteering and helping others that the rewards from those experiences will help to create better Americans.

 

We are a nation that is faced with all sorts of plights. Most recently it has been the floods in the Midwest, but we are also facing hunger, homelessness, patients who have run out of money to treat their medical illnesses and the list goes on and on.

 

The task seems daunting at first..." to serve our nation". But I tell you this..it starts with one step, one act, one simple gesture. The Alexandria Jaycees are a group of common folks who have come together and made a commitment to giving to their community. Of course we are not the only ones. I like to be a part of a group when volunteering because it does make me feel like I am among like minded people but that the effort of the group is even more powerful than my effort alone.

 

I often get asked, " So, what are you up to this weekend?" My responses vary depending on what the Jaycees have planned or what other volunteer project has reigned my heart and mind in.

I would like to end this by saying that it is never too late to start volunteering. It is also never to early to start. Bring your kids and teach them early what President Kennedy wanted us all to know.

Then, take it one step further and work to understand how your work truely makes an impact. As a guest blogger here I hope to introduce a variety of topics and ways to make a difference. It is not hard to make someone's day. It is not hard to lend a helping hand.

 

In memory of Tim Russert, I would like to reinforce his personal matra and that was that whenever possible give someone else a helping hand.

 

Thanks and I hope to see you at a project soon!

The 9 Golden Keys to Making Great First Impressions

Okay, I'm on a roll! After I found the fun "World's Worst 8 Handshakes" and wrote about it yesterday, I found this article on the same UK website. The 9 Golden Keys are a good reminder of what we probably all know but aren't practicing day-to-day.

The Keys start with the premise that "others form up to 90% of their opinion about you in the first four minutes and that 60% to 80% of the impact you will make is non-verbal." Lo and behold, #4 is all about the handshake!

Though this brief article is geared toward job-seekers on an interview, I think it applies equally to meeting someone in a work setting.

The World's 8 Worst Handshakes

I love this title. Caveat - it's not my own; it's the title of a great post that a kirtsy (a very cool site in its own right) blogger found on a UK website. So, what are the 8 worst handshakes? Well, as you might imagine, one is the dreaded "finger-shake."

Women, you know exactly what I mean! Instead of a firm (not vice-like!) shake web-to-web (thumb web that is), sometimes someone grabs just your fingers and shakes up and down. Yuck! This and the other 7 handshakes are shown in interesting illustrations, so you offenders can see exactly what not to do!

Sometimes I think so much attention has been paid to virtual networking that sometimes we forget how to properly network face-to-face!

Fast Facts: Alexandria

We all know that buying a home - whether a condo, townhouse or single-family house - in our northern Virginia city of approximately 140,000 is expensive, but I did a double-take when I was scanning the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership's Local Economic Indicators Report (LEIRS). The average sale price of these 3 types of homes is over half a million dollars. Wow! Yikes!

Some of the other stats the LEIRS highlights (all reflect 4th quarter 2007 for the City of Alexandria only):

• About 200 business licenses are granted per quarter in the City (though not all the businesses actually open their doors)
• Almost 17,000 people use the 4 City Metro stops (King, Braddock, Eisenhower and Van Dorn) each quarter
• Alexandria's unemployment rate is about 1% below the rest of northern Virginia, at 2.4%, and 2% less than the U.S. average of 4.8%

I'll post additional highlights once the AEDP updates the data available online. To view the entire report (3 pages), click here.

A Metro at Potomac Yard?

From the Alexandria Times:

City on track to add Potomac Yard Metro station
June 12, 2008

By David Sachs Alexandria Times Staff Writer

The Planning Commission took the next step in developing the first new Metrorail station in four years by approving various mixed-use developments at Potomac Yard last week. If the station materializes, it will be several years from now, with revenues from the newly approved development paying its way.

Plans for the area’s urbanization include higher-density office, residential, hotel and park space that will coalesce with the slightly older townhouses, restaurants and shops recently developed along the plot’s edge, north of Slaters Lane, to form a new neighborhood in between the National Airport and Braddock Road Metro stops.

The city hopes that tax revenue generated from a larger town center will pay for a Metro station connecting the Braddock Road and National Airport sites. “The station doesn’t depend on it,” Deputy City Manager Mark Jinks said. “But it moves toward that goal.” Read more at the newspaper's website.