Cool Job of the Week

For most women who spent 20 years watching The Oprah Winfrey Show, it couldn't get much cooler than a job actually working for her network. That's why this week's Cool Job of the Week is at OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, in Los Angeles, California.

Freelance Writer/Producer, On-Air Promos

Experienced writer/producer needed to create, write and produce promotional spots for OWN shows, including collaborating on graphics ideas, attending voiceover recordings, and editing spots. Requirements include a bachelor's degree and 2+ years' related experience.

Do You Ever Feel Like You're Destined For Something Bigger?

Do you?

I remember asking my husband this question early in our marriage. Well, before we had kids, anyway. But that covers about 10 years.

We were sitting in the middle of a restaurant and I remember he looked at me like I was a crazy person. Then he just sort of chuckled and said, "Uh, no."

But I've always had this feeling that I was meant for more than the gray cubicle I spent ONE day in during my last attempt at re-joining corporate America.

So imagine my delight when I saw this article by Scott Christ on Lifehack.org. Love, love, LOVE it! Enjoy!

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/10-signs-youre-meant-for-something-bigger-earth.html

Home Office Love

One of my favorite things is seeing how people live and work. I am obsessed with all things HGTV and my daughter and I take tours all the time of model homes in the area to get new ideas and see what the new trends are. And I especially love seeing people's home offices. So I thought I would feature a new one every week.

This first one I found, courtesy of ourgatorzone.blogspot.com is a brilliant use of space and gorgeous finishes. I'm not one who prefers being tucked away, but I also don't really need that at this point in my professional life. But if you need privacy or quiet for conference calls, this might be perfect for you.

There's nothing I don't love about this space, except for maybe the lack of a window, but it's hard to tell from the picture if there is one or not. I love the french doors leading in, the stunning white built-ins and crown molding, the dark-finish diagonal wood floors, and all that work surface! I also love the hanging light fixture, but love the addition of a desk lamp for tasks that require more direct light. The message board under the cabinet is a nice touch, too. It definitely feels like a feminine office, but that could be changed easily with a different chair.

I probably love it too, because the owner seems to be as tidy and organized as I am. Perhaps she's a professional organizer, a blogger, or the volunteer director of a charitable organization. What do you think?

If you're interested in having your own home office featured in the future, please send me a photo of your office. I'd love to see where you work every day!

Finding Your Purpose

This has to be one of my favorite topics to talk about, EVER. I love how New York Times bestselling author, Gabby Bernstein, approaches it in her vlog, because it's something people really get hung up on. And if you like all things spirit-related like I do, check out her site at: http://gabbyb.tv/.

Cool Job of the Week!

I love, love, LOVE hearing about fun jobs and unique companies out there who are doing fantastic things. So I couldn't think of a better way to kick off my Cool Job of the Week post than with a great opportunity with my hands-down favorite company -- FlexJobs!

I. Love. This. Company.

I honestly can't say enough about this crazy-amazing organization. Founded by Sara Sutton Fell in 2007, FlexJobs.com is hands-down, the best job site out there providing legitimate flexible jobs -- including telecommuting, part-time, flextime, and freelance positions.

While some of us might have used pregnancy as a convenient excuse to do less in our lives, Sara actually decided to go ahead and start a company. And start a company (and a flexible work revolution) she did! She started FlexJobs from her home office and every single one of her employees work from their own homes. How do I know? I was blessed enough to be a part of the FlexJobs family for a while. I'm going to have to write a whole separate post on this company at a later date, but for now, here is the incredible opportunity they have for some lucky job-hunter.

Partnerships Coordinator

Experienced freelance professional to utilize superb communication skills and digital media expertise to help manage and cultivate partnerships. Requires 3+ years digital marketing/relationship management experience. Part-time, remote position. 

It All Began with a Movie

I love movies. I love everything about them. I love going to the theater, getting snacks -- or if I'm lucky, an adult beverage. I love choosing seats. Up front with my feet up on the bar if I'm alone. (That's right, I actually go to the movies alone. And I L-O-V-E it.) Or if I'm with someone, I love seeing where they like to sit. I even like the previews. A lot of them. Not just because I'm interested in seeing what movies are coming out, but because of the anticipation I feel before the movie even starts.

So it shouldn't really surprise me that my passion for career-related topics all began with a movie. (I'm going to date myself here, but I'll just tell you right now that I'm 44 and proud of every second.) The movie was "Working Girl" -- and what a kick-ass movie it was. I was still in high school when it came out, but it gave me such a burst of inspiration when I saw it.

The story follows Tess, an administrative assistant who is doing everything she can to learn the skills she needs to get a promotion. While her boss is laid up from a skiiing accident, Tess learns that her supervisor stole an idea for a deal that Tess brought to her. Tess takes advantage of her boss being out of the office and takes over the deal-making process in her place. (Admittedly, I don't love the woman vs. woman aspect of the movie, but I managed to overlook it.)

From the opening credits with Carly Simon singing "Let the River Run" to the satisfaction of seeing her hard work pay off in the end, I loved everything about it. LOVED! (Okay, and it never hurts to have Harrison Ford as the lead male.) I wanted to BE Tess McGill (complete with love interest, Harrison Ford).

Since then, I have watched the movie dozens of times, for sure. It was my own personal cleansing ritual, if you will, that I would go through in between jobs. When I left one job for another to make my own way up the ladder, I would watch the movie to be inspired all over again. It still inspires me to this day. And it kick-started a lifelong fascination with all things career-related.

I love talking to people about their careers. I want to know how they chose their career. I want to know why someone stays in a job they don't love, love, LOVE. And I want to know what their dream job is. I want to know what the cool jobs are out there and let people know about them. I love entrepreneurs who have started their own small business to create exactly what they want in life. I even love to see where people work! Not the gray corporate cubicles, but in home offices that reflect their own style and personality. And most of all, I have a burning passion for work-life balance issues and how we can all make our work fit into our lives instead of the other way around.

So my wish for this blog is to share a little bit of all of this with you. And maybe you'll find a little inspiration of your own and create the Sassy Career you deserve.