March 25, 2011

CNW Day Five

Bonjour,
It is now day five of my placement, and that means my first week at CNW is coming to an end. I cannot believe how fast time flys by when you are working a full-time job. I only have time to go to work in the day, go home, change, then quickly workout at the gym. My day starts at 7am and ends at 7:30pm when I finish at the gym! I eat around 8pm (which is really bad for you)...and then go to bed before midnight. That's the life of a working girl...pretty scheduled, isn't it?!

The good news is that today my first blog contribution to CNW's corporate page went live. Which means I officially have content on the Internet that has the possibility to be read by someone other than my Mom (love you). If you want to check it out, follow this link: http://bit.ly/f6sCjt ! Notice my name under the title, wow...so cool. I also wrote a second, and third, blog post today...but they will not be up on the site until next week and the week after. Other than that is was a pretty normal day, just completing tasks as they were assigned.

Tedious task of the day: Sorting PILES of old files dating back to 2003 to see if there was anything worth keeping.

I am taking the GO Train in the opposite direction of where I need to go this evening, just to that Dad doesn't have to brace the Toronto traffic. Ricardo and I will arrive at Clarkson Station around 5:45pm, and then will drive with Dad back the same way we just came from...but in a large circle around Toronto. I do not see the point of this, seeing as we are wasting an hour doubling back, but it's still a free drive so I don't think I should complain.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.
Ta ta for now,
- Mandi

March 24, 2011

CNW Day Four

Hello yet again,
(I am running out of salutations!)

Today was day four at CNW, and it went by pretty quickly. I finished my blog for their corporate page (excited), did some edits for random documents handed to me, and set up meetings with venues to talk to caterers and take pictures! The trivial tasks of today was going through 2008 files and seeing if there was anything worth keeping. Let's just say I have a very large pile of paper clips on my desk that I did not have the heart to throw out.

I know that I only mentioned my blog post in passing, but considering you are reading one right now I figured there was no point in telling. Fear not dear friends, for I will be sure include a link to the blog in my post tomorrow. (So be patient!)

On another note, I started a new job today (hahaha). I am now acting Social Media Marketing Manager for Paw+Paw (www.pawpluspaw.com). I have been bugging these guys to let me do this for a while now, and they finally gave into my demands. They are so busy with the website and marketing aspects of the business that they had completely forgotten about social media. MANDI TO THE RESCUE...with the help of Tweet Deck of course. This application is quickly becoming my lifeline, I can't imagine ever living without it. Check out @pawpluspaw on Twitter to see what they have been up to, or if you want to see what's going on in my life...feel free to check me out: @mandirv.

Aside from jobs that don't offer any sort of compensation, I have sent out a couple more applications for jobs that DO. Two more sent out today, and two more that I am going to finish and send out tomorrow. If this was snail mail I would be completely broke from buying postage stamps. Now I will borrow a phrase from Mastercard: Next Generation Dinner Series application (done), applications for countless jobs in Toronto (done), getting my first full-time job in the industry (priceless)!

Feet update: they are now about 70% healed! I think I will venture down the street to the gym again and attempt to avoid the juice heads while I do a quick bit of cardio, and then a nice shoulder/back workout. Sadly I have to admit that sitting at a desk all day and actually eating three meals a day has likely added to my figure. I am feeling tired, and extra heavy...so I will attempt to use my spare time at home on weekends to get in a good workout. (Although I doubt that will happen.) *sigh*

Sorry this post was so short, but I didn't have a lot to say (and it's the end of the day).
Oh man, I love it when I rhyme...(it's such a good time). Okay....I'll stop!
Ta ta for now lovelies,
- Mandi

March 23, 2011

CNW Day Three

Why hello fellow bloggers,
I am glad you have found your way to my blog, perhaps you've been here before...or maybe it's your first time. This is a blog about nothing, mostly just a chance to get my thoughts out of my head to prevent me from going insane.

Today was my third day of placement at CNW Group. I arrived at the same time as my supervisor, Starbucks in hand, and got right to work. Included on my schedule for today was writing ghost blog posts and copy for a new page on the CNW website. I also continued on with some of the things I was assigned yesterday, and edited some documents that were returned to our department with corrections. I also spent some time working on my weekly blog post, and am sad to report that I am not pleased with it. Originally my idea seemed great, but as I started to write I discovered that perhaps I am the only one who will think so (*discouraged*). I will take my work home with me tonight and work on it over dinner, or before bed. My draft is due tomorrow, so I will have to live with whatever I have done. :( Might have to do a complete re-write, but that is something that I will try to avoid.

Life updates:
- Applied for another job in Social Media (*fingers crossed*)
- Was invited to another networking event in April
- Found out I will be an extra in a CNW video on Friday
- Am ONE question away from finishing Next Gen Dinner Series Application
- I have officially added AdSense to my blog (what a sellout, but please click through...)

To finish up day three I need to take a moment to rant about the HORRIBLE weather happening in Toronto right now. What the heck happened to spring? This storm is as bad as mid-winter in Toronto...I could hardly walk forward this morning. It's now the end of the day and the snow has not let up at all, and is not supposed to stop until midnight tonight. I am crossing my fingers that the commute to work tomorrow is a bit more enjoyable, and that the sun comes out again.

Tonight I will head back to Leon's and make Alfredo with chicken for dinner. My feet are still pretty swore from my idiocy on Monday...so sadly I cannot go to the gym. Instead I will throw on the TV and spend some time spinning on Leon's stationary bike. (Better than nothing right?)

Until tomorrow my dear readers,
Ta ta for now.
- Mandi

Ps: I would say I followed an estimated 100 links today to jobs posted in marketing, advertising and public relations and applied for the ONLY one that did not require prior experience. So the questions remains....who wants to find me a job?

March 22, 2011

CNW Day Two

Good Evening Followers,
Today started off on the right foot, woke up before the alarm and was able to turn it off before it sounded (saving my ears from the terrible noise). I ate some breakfast, got dressed, put on COMFY boots and came down to work. My strategy for the rest of the six weeks will be to leave my heals at the office and walk to and from in comfy boots.

As you can clearly tell by the title of this blog entry, today marks the second day of my adventure at CNW Group. I am very pleased to report that they have put me to work, and I have been busy the entire day. Although it is only day two I can tell that I will be of great use to them, and will take a lot away from this placement. I did several interesting things today, one of while included sourcing a venue for an event being held in San Diego California. It was quite interesting to look through all the potential venues and try to decide which would be best without actually getting to see them up close and personal. I narrowed it down to four, inquired about the cost of renting the space, and by 3:30pm three of the four venues had responded to my inquiries (excellent business practice). At this point I have forwarded all necessary information to one of my supervisors, and look forward to the next steps.

Other things I did today included WhitePaper summaries for documents that CNW posts on their website as a further education tool for their clients, drafting Facebook group statuses, and other event related tasks. I am sorry if this seems very vague, but I am working for a big corporation and do not want to leak any secrets.

Tedious task of the day: Counting out 350 CNW branded Tide-to-Go pens and putting them into a box, realizing they don't fit in that box...and then having to transferring them into another box.

I also had some time on my lunch today to apply for a job that I saw being Tweeted on my Tweet Deck. This is the very first job that I have seen in the marketing/advertising industry that did not say "3-5 years experience required". In my humble opinion if you are hiring someone for a Social Media Marketing position, you can't ask that they have 3-5 years experience, because social media marketing has not been a serious part of the marketing mix for five years yet (maybe three, but even that is pushing it). In order for me to gain experience someone needs to give me a chance to do so, and all that companies are looking for is post-graduates who have already been working in the field.

To the employers out there DON'T BE SCARED OF YOUTH. Believe it or not having someone fresh out of school and eager to please will be a huge asset to your company. Most of us grew up with social media, and spend more than 70% of our time interacting with brands online and through our mobile devices. Please give us a chance, and we will prove to be with your time (and money).

That is all for today, gym better happen...as yesterday I put on my runners and almost cried from the pain of taking even a few steps. I have taped up my feet and hope that I will be able to do some light cardio and a full set of weights. If I don't get to go my post tomorrow will likely have a grouchy tone (just a warning).

Ta ta for now,
- Mandi

March 21, 2011

CNW Day One


Hello readers!
Today marks the first day of my six week placement at CNW, in Toronto. That's right ladies and gentlemen, this little girl is all grown up and in the big city. Well, not exactly all grown up...as I am relying on a family friend to provide me shelter over the next six weeks, but considering I am all alone in Toronto I think I am allowed some credit.

Today I met the two lovely ladies I will be working with here at CNW. I will be reporting to Amanda Liard, Communications Specialist, and Uma Chandran, Communications Coordinator. I was given a very warm welcome, and am looking forward to working closely with these ladies over the next six weeks. For those of you who do not know CNW stands for Canada News Wire, and no...they are not an advertising agency (well not in the traditional sense). CNW is truly a unique organization, that provides a wide variety of services to their clients. Instead of trying to explain in my own words I let you figure it out for yourself, check them out at http://www.newswire.ca/.


What I am most excited about is the opportunity to be a contributing member of the CNW blog (http://www.blog.newswire.ca/)! I have been giving the opportunity to write one (or more) blog posts a week that will be posted for the world to see *fist pump*. Unlike this blog I will have to write something of actual value, so I am sure they will be much more appreciated than this useless drivel. Hahaha.


Today after work I will limp over to the subway, and then head back to Leon's place. If my feet are not bleeding too much due to my horrible footware choice, I will throw on some gym clothes and walk over to the YMCA (which is only two blocks away). I think this week will include me heading to the Eaton Centre and invensting in some new shoes that do not cause any bleeding.


Ta ta for now.
- Mandi

Ps: Downloaded Tweet Deck today, and I feel like a whole new person, never again will I be without this wonderful wonderful thing. Someone should have told me how amazing it is!!! I heard the words Tweet Deck, but didn't bother to check it out. Now am feeling like I have been really missing out...and of course have become completely addicted!

February 16, 2011

Long Time No Write!

Hello dear readers (if there are any out there).
I apologize for my lack of posts over the past several months, although I will admit that I have been cheating on you with Tumblr. School kept me quite busy first semester, and second semester is proving to be just as busy.

I am super excited to be working with Robin Pepper to develop a brand and launch campaign for a possible new IMC third year at SLC. I do not want to go into too much detail, as the program has not been approved yet. I am also working with a local business, The Mortgage Professionals, to revamp their advertising efforts in order to increase awareness about their services within the community, as well as increase client base. I am working as copywriter for both projects and will hopefully have some nice portfolio pieces after the projects are complete.

On another note, I am gunning for an internship with an awesome agency this semester. Instead of only three weeks we will be working for six, at which point the semester will be over and I will officially be a graduate from the three year Integrated Marketing Communications program at St. Lawrence College. What next you ask? Who knows! I will be pursuing my dream of working as a copywriter and starting life in the real world. *gasp*

Until next time fellow bloggers.
Ta ta for now.
- Mandi

September 12, 2010

One week down!

Hello readers,
If I haven't said this before I will say it right now for the record, time flies. The first week of my last year in college is already over, and I begin the second tomorrow. Mind you the first was only three days due to the fact that we started on Wednesday...but regardless, it went quick.

So far I have discovered that this is going to be a pretty interesting year, and I mean that in the best way possible. I have a few teachers that I have never had before, and am looking forward to getting to know them and learning as much as I can. Adda, a psychology professor (amoung other things) taught the single best first class I have ever had. We learned a bit about her life, why she ended up teaching the course, and had some fun getting to know her. I think her class will be full of surprises and good times, it's refreshing to have someone a bit unconventional and 'out of the box' as a teacher.

I am surprised, excited and even someone scared to announce that the true test of my life has arrived. After almost a year of working as a Bartender at Stages Nightclub for only a few nights a week I have been recognized. This past week, along with the week to come, I have been scheduled for shifts on every night the bar is open except for one. Last week was not a big deal because I wasn't in school until Wednesday, but this week I have a couple days where I am up until 4am and then have classes early the next day....sigh. I fear that any looks I have will be ruined from late nights and lost sleep, here come the bags! Fear not Mandi, you can pull through this and when you figure out your new sleeping pattern you will be good as new, with a little extra money in the bank.

Ta ta for now my darlings.
It is time for me to have a nap, even though I got up less than an hour ago.
(See, it's already slowly killing me!)

- Mandi