Because the last several months have been some of the most difficult for me. I truly would describe it as surviving instead of thriving.
My main goal for 2021 isn’t to train for some brand new Ironman race or achieve some lofty professional or financial goal. While I have set some fitness and financial goals for myself, they are the top of the priority list.
To get it out there in the open my main goal and top priority next to being a husband and father: my mental health.
Right before the holidays I was officially diagnosed with depression with a side of anxiety and mounting, overwhelming life stressors.
Just how bad was it?
As we take time to reflect on this past year, with all its ups and downs, we want to thank you for continuing to support us and for showing up for your community. Because of you, we were able to fund our first ever scholarship program, and we awarded four Black Creative Students scholarships to students from all over the country. This year, we were also able to publish 26 new blog posts, had 10,400 page views, added and featured 4 new contributing editors, hired and on-boarded a super creative new social media, Greer Blount, and offered our first writing internship to Maggie Barbour who created and published 10 posts in less than 12 weeks.
It's been an eventful year for out team, and to close it all off, TNM founder Kevin O'Connell is sharing his thoughts on 2020, dealing with change and transitions as a new dad and entrepreneur, and finding new approaches for 2021. Keep reading for Kevin’s end-of-the-year message!
Working freelance may sound glamorous at first, but those who've been doing it for a while know it takes hard work. Getting your business off the ground isn't easy and sometimes it means juggling various projects all at once, but it also has it's benefits - I mean you are your own boss after all!
This week, writing intern Maggie Barbour asks The Niche Movement's Editor-in-Chief Jaylene Perez and founder Kevin O'Connell, both of whom have experience in freelancing, what it really takes to make it work.
Read on for Jaylene and Kevin's best practices when it comes to finding clients, marketing your services, settings rates, and more!
For all those in pursuit of professional development, this week we're taking a look at which skills you'll want to brush up on depending on your specific industry. Whether you're a freelancer, marketer, entrepreneur, or work in another creative role, you'll want to read up on what will make you and your work really shine.
Tap below for the full post!
Job searching is a tough task on its own, and job searching during a pandemic... well we know it's not easy. You'll have to be flexible, know how to network and market yourself, and really hone in on what it is your looking for as you search for the right fit.
To find out what can help you land your dream job, keep reading!
On February 21st 2018, our founder Kevin O’ Connell delivered a keynote for Rhode Island College as part of their inaugural Majors Week programming on how students can take control of their story and not be defined solely by their major.
In this 35-minute keynote, Kevin opens up with a personal story he has never shared in public.
Listen to Kevin's audio recording in our post.
Here at TNM, we provide a core group of contributing editors with a platform to inspire people with words, tips, and their real world advice. These editors are the people who create new content for us to share with you on a weekly basis, and we are always looking for more young professionals to add to our contributing editor community. We have decided to introduce our new contributing editors with a Q&A, so that you can get to know them better and have contact behind the content they are sharing. Julianne Cogley, one of our newest contributing editors, ’ is from the Pittsburgh area and currently lives & works in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Julie is a two-time graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), where she received a B.A. in Disability Services and a M.A. in Student Affairs in Higher Education. She currently works as Assistant Director of Enrollment and Student Services for Pharmacy Programs at Manchester University. Julie loves finding ways to connect with new people she meets. Spin class, yoga, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Gilmore Girls, running 5ks, and coffee are a few of her favorite things! Connect with Julie on Twitter @Julianne_Cogley or Instagram @jacogs19.
For the last several years, millennials are frequently at the top of the list as it relates to the future of work and education. However, the generation often not discussed is Generation Z, who is on the horizon. As some of the Gen Z population (born 1996 or later) is approaching workforce age, it is important to gain perspective on what they want, and where they predict shifts in the upcoming years.
I’ve certainly had many moments throughout my career where I questioned my work environment and whether it was benefiting or hurting my career path. And then, unfortunately, I’ve also had moments where I evaluated whether that same environment was affecting my mental and physical health. Having a chronic condition that is directly affected by stress, this is something I must consider when taking a new job.A few weeks ago, on a day when I was feeling a bit defeated, I walked into a nearby coffee shop and almost cried, not because of the stress I felt from my work, but because a stranger was being nice to me.
It’s time to re-define what professional development means and how you plan to advance your career.
To start, if you really think about it, professional development is at your fingertips. A simple Google, Youtube, Linkedin or Twitter search and you will be presented with several options to learn a new skill or connect with a new colleague. The best part is I can guarantee this approach is 100% free.
Let’s jump in.
