If I knew all the words

The ability for our world to integrate technology and philanthropy amazes me. How

Corporate Social Responsibility is at the forefront of development and implementation among large corporations. It’s wonderful to see Pepsi, Starbucks and Trader Joes care about our world and what is happening outside of their state-of-the-art buildings.

Today, I was introduced to CauseWorld, a wonderful phone application modeled slightly after Foursquare. Instead of simple checking in for points to one-up your friends to become the mayer, you earn Karma points to donate to an organization or

cause of your choice.

CauseWorld is sponsored by Kraft Foods and Citi and donate to the organization of your

choice when you gain Karma points and designate them, it is Kraft and Citi that is donating to the organizations you choose.

What a great way to donate while shoping or having dinner with your friends. Open up the free application, check-in and donate within minutes. You can donate to anything from offsetting carbon,

helping students in need, preventing child abuse, help fight cancer, bring art to schools, help at-risk girls, Provide relief to Haiti or Chile, give clean water, treat autism, plant a tree or care for abused animals. So many options of ways to give sponsors money to great causes.

What are you waiting for. Go download the app and start giving Karma points out!

Last Friday, January 29, 2010 marked one year since I was “22 and laid-off”. What a year it has been. I’ve always been told, “Life’s a roller coaster, enjoy the ride!” Although, through my eyes, this roller coaster has been nothing close to enjoyable…

Frustration is the best word to describe how I’ve felt. I understand I was 22 years-old, new into the professional world and was lucky enough to still have my parents to fall back on. But my stubbornness wouldn’t allow me to fall into bad habits. Yet, I had no choice.

Thankfully, I was not married with mouths to feed, or a mortgage to pay off. I do realize that. There are so many people in that situation. But it did affect me in both good and bad ways.

I joined this company in October 2008, after I spent my summer in Europe. I spent August and September job hunting, packing my life and moving North. After 10 interviews and hundreds of resumes and tailored cover letters, I received my first professional job.

This job was different, it wasn’t in a field I knew a lot about. I mean, how many people know about the Biotech industry? I’d never even heard the word. But I was ready to jump in and learn.

I spent three months grasping as much knowledge that I could about the industry, working in a large agency and managing client relationships. I’ve never been so eager to learn–science flew over my head in high school and I completely avoided it in college. I all of a sudden was reading about cancer cells, therapies and spitting out acronyms like it was a second language.

I learned so much from everyone I worked with, but I think I left the company with something better than industry knowledge; I left with the most valuable professional and life lessons I could have ever imagined learning in my lifetime: Nothing in life is certain, be prepared for everything.

I left the University of Oregon a naive  young journalist with this great outlook on what my professional life would turn out, and it is nothing like I imagined, but it is perfect. The professional world is fast pace, harsh and political like you could not imagine.

Being laid off is one of the most confusing feelings. You have ten different emotions flying through your head, and the questions, they could consume you for the rest of your life. Asking the “what if’s….” and “why me’s” but when it comes down to I’ve learned it’s a little bit of politics, but mostly about money.

I remember the moment after the door was closed behind me, my heart sank, I knew what was happening. I looked up and saw her talking, I couldn’t hear what she was saying, as the words came out of her mouth, “I’m sorry to tell you, we’re going to have to let you go…..” she went on and on and I couldn’t form a thought, I just wanted to leave. I went back to my cube and was met by a friend who hugged me as the frustration melted to fear mixed with anger, with a twist of terror. “I am 22 and unemployed”, I thought this had to be a sick joke, I’d just started there, three months earlier!

Out of my own pride I refused to pack my things in a box, I left with my possessions spilling out of my arms and my purse. Here I was with no job, no friends or family to comfort me, and my crumbled future in my arms.

I went home, packed a large bag and moved to Medford, Oregon to work for my family business until I found another job in Seattle. To me this was short term, I couldn’t comprehend being in Medford for more than a few weeks, if not for my pride, but for my sanity.

I made looking for a job my new job. I had friends and mentors sending me links to job positions in Seattle. I reached out to as many people as I possible could and tapped every networking opportunity available. Every waking hour was spent searching for companies I was interested in working for and writing numerous cover letters telling these employers why I’m the best fit for the position.

My desire to be back in Seattle was my pure motivation. I’d become attached to the city and my life there, I’d just gotten started and all of a sudden it was ripped away from me. I drove up from Southern Oregon to Seattle multiple times in a two month period to attend multiple marathons of interviews. Out of the 100+ resume’s I sent out, I went to at least 10 in person interviews and was offered 3 jobs.

I turned what could have been a year  or more of job searching into a two month sprint to find what is now a great job. It was tough to turn around after you’ve been laid off and your spirits are down to find the energy and will to push forward and continue to search.

Some days you want to give up, other days you come to a dead-end. But I was 22 years old, I wasn’t going to settle, I had my whole career ahead of me. When I began my search I said I wanted to stay away from health care. But I found that in those three months I had learned so much about the field, for the first time felt like I could look at a job description and say, “Hey I can do that!” So I continued to persue looking for a job that had to do with Advocacy Relations. I have passion for the experiences people have gone through, and to help tell their stories is one of the most rewarding jobs.  I found the perfect home.

Now, I’ve almost been at my new job for a year and I look back on the experiences I went through and realize it was such a great life lesson to learn at a young age.

I now know…..

• To be prepared for anything and everything

• Just because I’m a “cheaper” employee, doesn’t mean you’re not expendable; and just because you’ve been at a company for 15 years doesn’t mean you have a solidified position- it’s a business

• Keep going, no matter what. You have good days and bad days but the search will come to an end, just don’t give up

• Utilizing your connections and network can provide good leads, but also it provides good practice

• Save save save. You never know when that  rainy day is coming, and how long you’ll be stuck in the down pour… be prepared financially

• You’re constantly proving your worth at your job. Make yourself an invaluable employee so that you don’t have to ask the “what if’s”

To anyone that has been laid off, I feel for you. All you can do is keep your head up and move forward. Don’t look back, that is behind you.  I never thought at 22 I would be laid off. But it happened, I adapted and moved forward and I’m a better person for it. I’m no longer naive about my professional life.

Read my post from last year on What I wish I would have done before I Lost my Job.

To all of those that have supported me through this roller coaster, I thank you. I couldn’t have done it with out you. A few to mention: My Family: Mama Stringer, My dad, Ken, My Brother, Matt; Jessica Lomelin, Kelli Matthews, Scott Wayne Indiana, Laurel Yamaguchi, Bridgette Quinn-Greenhaw, Libby Whittemore and all of my friends.

I would like to introduce Jessica Nicole Lomelin, an everyday advocate. Jessica is more than an advocate, she in an inspirational, open-minded young woman who finds passion and joy in helping others.

Jessica has been given an amazing opportunity to make a difference. In less than a month Jessica will leave her friends, family and stable job to tell the stories of the Men, Women and Children of Gulu, Uganda. Jessica will be working with the organization Invisible Children as a communications assistant.

Seeing the excitement and glow on her face as she describes the organization makes supporting my friend worth every tear and every cent I can manage to pass along. The passion Jessica has to make a difference in the world is something we should all strive for.

Jessica will be documenting the people she meets and her numerous endeavors on her blog jessicalomelin.com. I ask that you please pass along her story and read her inspiring words.

As my best friend, sister and support system leaves me for this amazing adventure, I may not be able to support her financially, but I can support her emotionally.

Jessica will do great things in her lifetime, she is an amazing young woman with an open mind and an open heart. I look up to her and can’t wait to see what she can do for the people of Uganda.

Below is a message from Jessica.

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I’m asking friends, families, strangers and kind-hearted people to donate to my trip and support the work I will be doing in Uganda. The organization is providing a discounted living situation, but I am essentially having to cover my airfare, vaccines, visas, and travel items.

• Your donation will help me help Invisible Children.

• I’m not receiving a large amount of financial support from Invisible Children given that the majority of their funding goes toward projects and initiatives. This is expected for non-profits and regardless of the financial set-backs this may cause, it is something I am still passionate about doing.

Donating even just a dollar to my trip will help me extend my stay in Africa and continue working with either Invisible Children or another similar NGO. Money permitted, I would love to stay in Africa for some time and do my best to positively impact the community and the people I meet.

Imagine if we got 500 people to donate just $1? How powerful that could be! I understand we are in the middle of numerous natural disaster’s and money is a tough situation, but consider giving up 1 latte this week and putting that money toward the work I will be doing in Uganda. If you are unable to donate, all I ask is that you  just follow me as I take this adventure. Pass my name and my story on to your family and friends, and know that anything helps. You can help me make a difference in the lives of others.

Please take some time to become familiar with Invisible Children. The more people that are familiar with Invisible Children and the crisis going on in eastern Africa, the more likely things will improve.

If you are interested in contributing to my trip and to the work I will be doing in Africa you can donate through my secure Paypal account Here: http://jessicalomelin.com/contributions

They say that people who do good things reap benefits in more ways than they can imagine. Think of this as a good deed, whether contributing, telling the story of Invisible Children or becoming inspired to take action. Simply, pay it forward.

Every day we are affected by something; sick family members, the environment, political decisions. Every day we make choices that can change our lives forever. We also have the power and voice to persuade others to make the correct decision for themselves. When you believe in something enough to turn your passion in to action you have become an Advocate.

Find any topic that has affected you in one way or another, environment, health care, teen pregnancy, child abuse –anything that makes you so passionate you want to yell from the roof tops. To be an affective advocate you need to have first hand experience. Whether it’s being a patient with Parkinson’s Disease, or being a caregiver to an autistic child you’ve seen and experienced what it is like to see someone struggle because there is no cure or no answer to question or need. Being a passionate advocate involves a few things:

1. Know your topic from all angles. Know first hand experiences and the effects if nothing is done about it. By honing in on your personal experiences you only strengthen your case. No one can fight with what you see or feel.

2. Share your experiences. Whether it’s with a family member or friend. or a random stranger at a party. Strike up a conversation and share you knowledge and your experience. The passion from your experiences inspire others to take action.

3. Get involved. Beyond sharing your story and experiences find groups and organizations of people just like you, working toward the same goal. Together you can make larger advances to either accomplishing your goal or just making other aware of your cause.

4. Begin an online campaign. Whether it’s a twitter or facebook campaign. or a video on Youtube. Word of mouth campaigns are eye catching and very relate able. Sit back and think about what messages resonate with you. Share those with the world.  Advocates are taking over the Social Media sphere and if you want to be a part of it you’re going to have to dive in head first.

Being an advocate for something you are passionate about can help guide someone who is struggling with a life changing decision. Be compassionate, share you story. Turn your Passion into action.