Back from Chapel Hill

Area Sales Manager training in Chapel Hill for University Directories was a success. It was an amazing experience that really expanded my knowledge about managing and working with people. The first day we were at the Triangle Training Center. We had some really great topics come up like trust, direction, and team work. It definitely was fun. Taylor, the TSM in my region and I did the ropes course together. I know we are going to be such a great team, especially working under Kyle, our regional manager. I just can't believe the challenge I have for this summer! It seems like such a big task this summer to manage 27 interns! I'm so thankful for the opportunity. I'm currently reading the book, Self Leadership & the One Minute Manager. It's really intriguing and has some great insight. Hopefully I will be able to apply everything in the book to my interns!

The more I think about it, I know that I really would like to be on the Marketing or Public Relations side of business instead of sales. Sales is a great place to develop my skill set and learn how to put things in the perspective of the consumer; however, I'm ready to apply that to marketing strategy and practice. After this summer, I hope to find an internship to supplement my internship with Allied Integrated Marketing to really put my marketing and public relations skills to the test. In the middle of the semester I was doubting my switch from Marketing to Integrated Marketing Communications; however, now I know I am studying the right coursework.

Wikipedia defines IMC as: Integrated marketing communications (IMC) is a process for managing customer relationships that drive brand value primarily through communication efforts. Such efforts often include cross-functional processes that create and nourish profitable relationships with customers and other stakeholders by strategically controlling or influencing all messages sent to these groups and encouraging data-driven, purposeful dialog with them. IMC includes the coordination and integration of all marketing communication tools, avenues, and sources within a company into a seamless program in order to maximize the impact on end users at a minimal cost. This integration affects all firm's business-to-business, marketing channel, customer-focused, and internally directed communications.^[2]

Summer

School is finally over..it's a mixed feeling about not going back next semester.Being away from San Diego, my friends, my Kappa Delta sisters, Kovu, Louis, & my family, it will certainly be an adventure in Disney World. To be honest, I am a little nervous. Every time I want to have an adventure, I seem to venture farther and farther away from home. But that is part of growing up I guess..

So much has happened since I last blogged; I'm not sure where to start.

My spring semester ended very well. I ended up with 2 A-'s, 2 A's, and a B. My total GPA is now a 3.18 & and hopefully going up. I hope to keep this up once I get back. Finals were stressful as always with the same old routine of all-nighters. I'm glad that is over. Kappa Delta was absolutely amazing this semester. I'm somewhat sad that I'm giving up social chair; it's definitely a love-hate relationship with that position. I'm glad that I can finally pass it along to my lil dagger. I felt as if I did the best I could in planning all of our social events. It took a lot of work, but I am really happy at the outcome. I planned 3 large dances-date dash, the phi delta theta exchange, and Emerald Ball. I managed to keep us in budget for all of the dances, which I feel is a GREAT accomplishment! I even managed to make Kappa Delta some money off of Emerald Ball! I also planned lots of exchanges, socials & ect. for the girls. It was a really great semester overall. I'm definitely going to have a hard time not being inactive next semester.

North Carolina was intense. It consisted of 10 hour training days, little sleep, food that was way too rich for me, and 750 of the most outgoing type A personalities you could ever meet! It was a lot of work but so much fun. The traveling was very long, sort of miserable. The people I met were absolutely amazing, I feel like they are practically family...when I left, I felt as if I knew all of these people for years..The training was like nothing I have ever done. Lots of memorizing, understanding, and putting everything together. The hard work definitely paid off though. I am fully prepared for my internship. My internship is definitely the most difficult internship I have ever done. It's not a physical challenge, it definitely tests my patience and dedication. I am learning to overcome rejection & move on from no's. I am becoming better at selling. And this internship gives me a whole new perspective on how businesses are run. Definitely something I look forward to discussing with a future employer. I made my first sale on Tuesday! $465.00!! Hopefully one of many more to come!

My disney internship is less than 65 days away! I can't wait.

I have also decided to take on another job this summer during the weekends or more specifically on Sunday. I couldn't give up my job at highlands just yet. I love teaching lessons & being in the highlands enviornment. I love the kids & my highlands too much to leave just yet. And the pay also helps because as the word "internship" implies, I'm not making that much this summer. I can't believe it's been almost 5 years since I started. It's been a long run. I went to the giants game with my highlands staff & had an amazing time. I look forward to spending one last summer with them before I officially have to move on to a "real job". Yuck. It makes me realize how fast college is going. I want it to slow down a little bit. I'm enjoying college. I am excited for the future and my future career, but I want to enjoy everything college is. I am constantly reminded that I only have one chance to do everything.

With that said, I will do everything as if it's my only chance.