We all know the importance of first impressions. The first few weeks of your new job can set the tone for the rest of your time there. Here are some keys to having a successful first week: Hangout – Get to know your co-workers and the people around you. When you are new, you have [...]

I just survived my first week as an official “young professional.” I didn’t get fired and I don’t think I screwed up anything (too bad.) I’d say that’s a solid first week. The program Principal is putting on sounds phenomenal and I’m going to be learning a ton over the next three years. Along with [...]

I met someone the other day who handed me two business cards and said, “I’ll give you my personal card AND my company’s card… because companies can change.” When he said that, it made me think, “Wow – Does he plan on quitting soon? What if his boss heard him say that?” (Note – He [...]

College encompasses many things… classes, parties, friendships, internships, and numerous other activities that might come your way. Sometimes when we are so caught up in the day to day activities, we forget about the one common goal that every student shares…The ultimate goal of college is to get a job. It isn’t about how good [...]

If you’re thinking of consolidating loans, don’t do it. First, because many lenders have dropped their consolidation programs. Iowa Student Loan used to have a program that would reduce your rate by a point if you made your first 12 payments on time…. Now they don’t even have a consolidation program. According to an article [...]

When you don’t have classes to attend and you don’t have a ‘real’ job to go to, you can find yourself with a lot of free time…. Which is why I’ve decided to redesign my website. Lately I’ve been diving a bit deeper into the world of technology. Don’t get me wrong… I still feel [...]

Grades have never made much sense to me… They were designed to motivate students to succeed and to give teachers a common ground for analyzing kids… right?  There are a few problems I see with a grading scale: 1)  It creates a specific mindset for students.  If a kid goes through his entire life getting [...]

I decided that today would be the day that I join Twitter.  It can’t hurt to have one more thing that helps me procrastinate, right? Here is my Twitter time line: 11:02 – I joined Twitter11:06 – I added a few friends11:23 – My friend Andy Brudtkuhl "tweets" and welcomes me12:10 – Nathan Wright, a [...]

 My sister is an 18 year old senior in high school, about to make that leap into what many of us would call, “The best four years of our life.”   She and I have had a couple long talks about where she wants to go to school at. Of course, being a Drake alum, [...]

First impressions are powerful…  And a second impression will reinforce that first impression (…or it can completely redeem you if your first impression sucked…) Remember that second impressions are all about the details. It’s the little things that matter.  It’s remembering to ask about their kids.  Or their job.  Or maybe their favorite hobby. But [...]