Women of Influence - My New Design Internship!

Last Tuesday I started a new step in my career, I took on an unpaid internship. Although I have little money in my account, and have rent to pay (tomorrow is May 1st, oh no!) this opportunity will be invaluable, and I've already learn so much in just my first week.

Women of Influence has many brands, including a magazine, and puts on amazing keynote speeches from amazing influential people. 99% of the time, these speakers are female, but today I witnesses for the first time in 19 years, a male speaker take the podium to speak with a woman on the topic of Gender Intelligence. Last week, I was able to listen and learn about networking from a CEO of a PR company. Truly invaluable information that in only 1 week, I have already learned from.

With these opportunities come my own ability to network. I have already met so many people who are interested in my design work and genuinely want to hear my story. The event we had on networking really made me think about all the effort we put into creating relationships and how they are often sparked by common interest. She also spoke about the simplest idea of writing to people telling them you enjoyed their speech, or their article, or their art. It's important to establish that sense of acknowledgement and setup that meaningful interaction.

Here are some snapshots of my last few weeks to cap it all off, ENJOY! (and feel free to network with me anytime, I know a bunch of people in a variety of different fields and would love to connect with you, or help you connect with someone else!) 

Instragraming Women of Influence Quotes

My First Macaron, SO YUMMY!

Women of Influence Luncheon featuring John Gray and Barbara Annis!

Created a blog header for Rowan's new blog.

My first food truck experience! Grilled Cheese with Pulled Pork... YUM

If you like what you see please follow me on bloglovin', like me on facebook: www.facebook.com/thepapergalaxy, buy something on etsy: www.etsy.com/s/thepapergalaxy or follow me on twitter: @vickiistace. You can also network with me via linkedin, ca.linkedin.com/in/victoriastacey.

How Rejection Can Only Push Me Further

Rejection: to refuse to accept (someone or something); rebuff: The other children rejected him. The publisher rejected the author's latest novel. 

Rejection is hard. It makes us think about ourselves, our faults, what we could have done better. It makes us wonder if what we are aiming for is what we should be aiming at. It can make or break a person's moral, and it can send grown men and women into tears of frustration and self-pity.

I am not talking about a boy who said no to me when I asked them out, although that can be extremely crushing as I'm sure we all know. No, I am talking about the awful feeling you get when you find out you were not chosen for a particular position, over and over again. The feeling of having an email sent to you that says "unfortunately your skills do not match our ideal candidate at this time" is a heart breaker. Applying to tons of jobs, just to find out that not one of them is interested in your particular skills, is depressing. Having interviews, feeling confident, getting excited, just to find out they are going with another candidate, is earth shattering.

But, what can you do with this? What can you learn from this? Be more prepared? Perhaps. But for me, its not about that. Now, its not only about showing the interviewer, or the employer why I am the best candidate, but about convincing myself I am too. Thousands of students, just like me, are searching for a summer job, an internship, a co-op position this summer. I am not the only one who is feeling rejected, but I can be the one who stands up and says, no, I will not let this define me.

Do, I have a summer job yet? No. Do I have a plethora of inspirations, ideas and projects that are going to fill up my time until I do? You bet I do. Will these projects be something I can discuss in my resume and in future interviews? Why wouldn't they be? Pushing yourself to try new things whether you succeed at them or fail, are things you can discuss with a potential interviewer. They want you to show them that you are going to push yourself to do your best within a company, and to create amazing progress for yourself.

So, yesterday during my latest interview, I decided to but my heart out there and tell the interviewer exactly why I thought this job was for me. It was no longer regurgitated "I want to try something new" or "The job description says this" but it was from the heart. I want to make a difference, I want to be that person you say in 6 months, "I'm glad I hired her". And while I do not know yet if I got the position, I know that I met someone who will be in my network in the future. Whether the position fits me or not, I have come in contact with someone who I had a great conservation with, and that I can take with me either way.

So, you don't have a summer job yet either? Make each and every interaction count. Something will work out for us in the end, and that rejection we face will only push us further in our quest for success.

Should you want to speak with me about a position you feel I am the perfect candidate for, please feel free to email me at vlstacey@uwaterloo.ca or check out my linkedin profile at ca.linkedin.com/in/victoriastacey.

I'm Having a Contest!

I've giving away some pretty sweet prizes, and the winner get to choose with one they want!

I have up for grabs:
- A customized Tank or T-shirt (It doesn't have to be Team Daryl!) in your size and colour preferences!|
OR
- A customized Marvel (or other patterned) scarf!
OR
- A pair of custom high waisted shorts (complete with studs/rips)
OR
- A galaxy tank or leggings

All you have to do is use the Rafflecopter form to enter your information, and to like me on Facebook! Want to win really badly? Tweet about the contest, or leave a comment on this blog post about which item you'd choose if you won!

I'll be choosing two winners, so getting liking! Contest will end on my birthday (May 19th) should I get over 50 entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Semester, New Challenges, New Me (Sort of, but not really)

Welcome! I have said it before, and I'll say it again (and hopefully keep to it this time), but I am back, with lists on lists of how I want to make the most of my summer, and how this blog (and encompassing website) are going to help! Throughout the next few days, and weeks, I will share with you my goals for this blog, for my artwork, and for myself, and I hope you will stick around to share the experiences with me!

I have tons of fun things for this blog up my sleeve including giveaways, DIY projects, tasty food and more. Along the way sharing with you my student way of keeping things affordable and fun, whilst showcasing my passions (and sometimes talents) along the way.

Now, if you have been following my blog for the last year (although if you are you are probably crazy since I haven't been that active, but I love you all the same!) then you might remember the list of goals I set for my 20th birthday. It was 19 things to do before I turn 20, some of them I accomplished in that month or so, and some of them I finished by the end of the summer, and others by the end of the year!

Some of these are things I didn't finish last year, and some are new for this time around! So here's my new list of 20 things to do before I'm 21 (which happens to be in 49 days!) 

1. Get a Summer Job/Co-op/Internship (If you know someone hired for a PAID position, please send their information my way!)

2. Go vintage/thrift shopping in Toronto

3. Paint - On canvas!

4. Take photos on a roll of film, and get them developed.

5. Eat a good I've never had before - Last year it was Guacamole, what will it be this time?

6. Do something I've never done before - what will it be this time around?

7. Explore a part of KW I have never been before - Victoria Park is high on that list! (Turned into explore Toronto as I wasn't in KW at all!)

8. Do a DIY project a week and post it. - I'm definitely doing projects once a week, and they'll definitely be on the blog soon! Fail </3

9. Go to a new restaurant.

10. Blog every other day (at least!) Fail </3

11. Explore the possibilities of LinkedIn.

12. Sell at least 10 products.

13. Do at least one conceptual and fun photoshoot.

14. Wear a handmade item 4 times a week.

15. Play laser tag!

16. Go to a bar/club in Toronto.

17. Do something out of my comfort zone 
18. Get a tattoo (fingers crossed!)
19. Brand myself, my company(ies?), and my blog.

20. Doodle/Sketch everyday.

If you like what you see please follow me on bloglovin', like me on facebook: www.facebook.com/thepapergalaxy, buy something on etsy: www.etsy.com/s/thepapergalaxy or follow me on twitter: @vickiistace.