{Note: While in Europe on a choir tour, I wrote some small reflections and poetry. This is the first reflection, on Auschwitz concentration camp.}

May 26th, 2011

Today we visited Auschwitz concentration camp. I completely did not know what to expect. We studied Auschwitz in history courses, but what I saw was completely different from what I expected. As I later would tell people, it became too difficult for me to capture photos in color of this terrible place, so I resorted to the black and white setting on my camera.

When we entered the camp, I quickly noticed that my shoes were too worn for the walk along the stony pathways. But then I thought about those who were imprisoned at Auschwitz and how they typically would have to walk barefooted, how much pain they would experience.

Clothes for babies collected among the victims

We were led among their beds, we saw where they slept, ate, and where they eventually died. It was heartbreaking, especially when I saw some baby clothes and the large collection of hair. There was so much hair…

We saw photos and dates of those who died at Auschwitz. I saw the surname of a friend of mine, which sent chills through my body. The thought that someone even remotely related to my friend had been killed at Auschwitz was just too close. We were led to the gas chambers and the incinerators. I saw the window, the place where men and women would look outside for the last time, not knowing their fate. The next room after the gas chamber was the incinerators. I could not help but keep reciting in my head “Lord have mercy…”

After we visited the gas chambers, where so many had died, our tour guide departed from us and we began to gather on benches. We prayed, wept, recited rosaries, held each other, and sat there in silent disbelief that such a thing had happened. No words…can adequately describe what our hearts felt at that moment, except for an understanding that this can never, ever, happen again.

Less than 24 hours ago, I returned from a 17 day trip to Europe. Right before that happened, I graduated college and packed up my belongings to move home, pack again, and hop a flight. I sit at my Macbook, as my fingers once again acquaint themselves with the computer they haven’t seen for nearly 3 weeks. Photos upload in the background. As for me…I’m at complete peace.

I was so worried as I faced my parents yesterday about my planned declaration of independence. While I will continue to live at their [my] home for the next year, I wanted to assert that I need to be an independent young woman. By the time my dad lifted my luggage into the Ford Explorer at the airport, I had proclaimed that I had paid off my credit card and tuition bills, and listed reasons why I did not want to purchase a used car this summer in lieu of getting a new car in the fall while taking the bus for three months. My parents just stared at me and said “Okay.” They’re adjusting as well as anyone can be, it’s hard for them to let go, just like it’s been hard for me to take the wheel.

My mother suggests that I get some of my mess unpacked…sure, I’ll get to that. My room still looks like a seventeen year-old JV tennis player lives there. She’s long gone. A big overhaul will be required, but we’ll get there eventually. I look at my to-do list before I head to work on Monday, things are finishing, debts are getting paid. My life is straightening itself out almost autonomously. This is weird. I’m not used to being so calm.

One night while I was in London this past week, I got somewhat ill. While my travel companions ate delicious sweets and indulged in dessert wines, I held a water bottle in one hand and a pen in the other as I scribbled out some words that had been on my mind. It became similar to vows a couple may exchange at a wedding, but I wrote it with only myself as the recipient.

From this day forward, I vow my life to you
To make a change
And become the woman I was meant to be
I vow:

To never let money be an excuse for choosing not to chase my dreams
To work where my values align with theirs, and to work my hardest to perform at an optimal level
To pursue creativity at all costs throughout my life
To love with reckless abandon, but only when it feels right to my heart
To treat and care for my body in a way that it deserves
And to never cease in becoming the woman God has destined me to be.

So I solemnly swear today until death.

6 June 2011

Dramatic? Maybe a bit. I’ll chalk it up to being in a poetic mood that day. Yet, in the end, dramatic or not, that oath written three days ago in London serves as a good promise for how I wish to continue to live out this young life. These past 22 years of education and guidance have led me to where I am now. Here’s to the future.

I’m busy, I’m not afraid to admit it in the least. I’m finishing up my senior year with three modestly difficult courses, two part-time internships, a vice-presidency in a business fraternity, secretary of a board of directors, and numerous other smaller engagements surrounding freelance writing and social media. I expected this final semester to be very much a sprint to the finish line, with small hurdles in the way.

What I did not expect, was a complete burnout.

I was seventeen years old at a music camp when I first heard the beautiful melodies of a song that would forever shape my life. Little did I know how much the words would mean to me nearly five years later.

Take, O Take Me As I Am

Take, O take me as I am

Summon out what I shall be

Set your seal upon my heart

And live in me

When I was eighteen, a recent high school graduate, my dream was to join the Liturgical Choir under the direction of Rob Strusinski. I wanted to learn from him and be a part of an amazing ensemble. However, I had a great dislike for my voice, and wondered if it would ever be up to caliber for such a internationally acclaimed ensemble.

The night started out with the best of intentions. I had a very busy week with final papers for my January course, work to do for two internships, a blog post to write, and a life to be lived, which of course included swing dancing with my friends and staying up late watching YouTube videos until the very early morning. By the time my alarm rang, I was exhausted. I came home from my internship, lazily typed out my last two papers for biology and proceeded to pass out on my bed for a few hours. When I awoke, I noticed that all my roommates had gone home for the weekend/end of term. A scheme hatched.

With the new year rapidly approaching, I’ve decided to take a little bit of time to reflect on myself and make my “New Year Goals”. As I glanced back at my 2010 blog posts, I’ve seen my blog turn from career musings, to personal reflections, to a mix of the both. I am still in the midst of figuring out exactly what my hopes are for this blog, but I’m proud to see it growing as I continue to grow. As a result of this blog evolution, I’ve begun to move certain pieces to other blogs and platforms, so this one can focus on professional growth in the midst of daily struggles.

This year was one of much struggle, from dealing with family pains and dynamic changes, to the revelation that I’m not happy with my health, eventually landing in the ER (twice!) and receiving some difficult news…

And yet, this year was one of much success. I’ve discovered a lot about myself and how it will take passion to really get to where I want to go. I’ve held two internships, received my first freelance projects, and have set myself up for success for 2011. I’ve lost more weight than with any other health program I’ve tried, and I’ve had one of the best semesters of my college career.

So what remains for 2011?

1. Time to Graduate! Unless I for whatever reason, blow my last four courses, this should be a given. Finally! I’ve met up with so many connections who ask me what I’m doing now, and when I remind them I have one semester left, they’re in shock. Even my advisor forgot I have yet to graduate. (I’m only 21!!) But I get it, I’ve been in the interactive/social media industry now for nearly two years, I think I’m ready to get moving!

2. Time for Rebranding! After analyzing my personal brand, I’ve realized that a lot still lacks. Even worse, much of my brand surrounds being a college student and intern, which both will likely disappear come June. So come early 2011, be prepared to see (yet another) new look to dianekulseth.com, as I begin the process of transitioning from a college student/intern to a young aspiring professional. I’m talking about the process and progress on another platform.

3. Time to be Certified! This year, I’m hoping for two certifications to better solidify my skills in the SEO copywriting field. I’ll be (hopefully) starting up the SEO Copywriting certificate courses this January, which I’m very eager to begin. Then, during some other point in January, I’ll be sitting down to take the Google Analytics Individual Qualification test. As I continue to combine my love of creativity, writing, and technology together, it is my hope that I can add more expertise to be of value wherever the wind may blow my opportunities.

4. Time to Travel! 2011 will most likely bring me some more traveling, as I head to Madison for a Delta Sigma Pi conference. It will be my first time to the city of Madtown, and I’m so looking forward to it. I will also be likely heading back to my second home of Michigan to see my dear friend’s senior piano recital, and spend time with friends out there. May and June will bring my second trip abroad as I join my beloved UST Liturgical Choir to peruse Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. After the trip, I’ll be spending some time in either London or Paris with my friends as we close out this chapter in our lives. Finally, the crown jewel of my college experience will hopefully occur come August 2011, as I attend the Grand Chapter Congress of Delta Sigma Pi. It is there that national awards will be named, and I will hopefully be the one accepting the National Outstanding Alumni Relations award for the Nu Tau chapter (St. Thomas). It’s been what I’ve been working on all year, and it would be the best way to close out my college career with a national award.

5. Time to Lose! I really don’t want to elaborate on this one too much, as I have blog posts devoted to this on this site and another very neglected blog. However, it’s still my intent on running a 5K at my old high school in April, and when I cross the graduation stage, to be at 60% of my weight loss goal, which as I approach 20%, does not seem too unrealistic…

6. Time to Love! Now I don’t mean romantic love. While that would certainly be welcome, I want to spend this year falling in love with who I am. I’ve pushed myself so much these past few years to get to this success I’ve enjoyed, but it’s time for me to take care of me and get ready for an amazing year. College ends in 5 months, I have a lot to still live up!

My clock says 3:55pm CST. 8 hours, 5 minutes to the New Year. Best of luck to all of you in your New Year’s Resolutions and best wishes for success, health and happiness.

I’m not one to want to judge my fellow classmates from St. Thomas. Really. St. Thomas has been a great school for my education and I look forward to boasting that I’m a Tommie alum in a little under 5 months from now.

However, I caught myself stumbling upon a fellow classmate’s LinkedIn profile, and what I saw on their Summary section just astounded me. No, it wasn’t inappropriate by any means. It was just…boring. By the end of their first paragraph, I caught myself saying “blah, blah, blah…”, just like I could imagine a recruiter reading the resume and saying “Next!”.

“I am seeking a position as a marketing professional upon graduation from the University of St. Thomas in May 2011 utilizing my skills as a personable results-oriented leader who takes initiative, is creative, and has proven skills.”

Really? Really?

The summary continues as they describe how they are a good team player, take responsibility well, and have strong attention to detail, along with great classroom and internship experiences…you and the rest of the world.

Marketing at UST is by far the largest major by student population. When I worked at the Career Development Center there, over 500 students were enrolled in the program. Every senior majoring in Marketing Management that I’ve seen on LinkedIn has held an internship. My point is, how will this student set themselves apart with this opening statement?

My point is…they won’t.

I can’t tell you how many profiles I’ve seen with almost the exact same words. Seriously, it’s like a cookie cutter, copied and pasted from the Career Development website and into your resume and LinkedIn profile (trust me, I’ve helped to write those very resources they’re using).

You might as well say “I am just the same as every other marketing major at UST. I have a 3.7 G.P.A., have participated in a few organizations, and have held 1-2 internships as a student.”

So what?

For any UST student that reads this, we need to shape up! Especially you fellow Marketing Majors! If you want to get a job, write like you WANT it. Tell them WHY you deserve to be hired, in a way that’s different from your peers.

“Aspiring marketing professional with proven results. My experience has included: achieving a ___% increase in purchases through leadership on marketing campaigns at ________ (company), serving as VP of _________ at _________ (student org), which led to a (50% membership increase, 15% more service hours, whatever).

I am seeking to contribute my expertise and experience as a _________ (position) for a fast-paced marketing company to further increase customer satisfaction and sales for greater revenues and brand reputation.”

Something along those lines. Enough of the cookie-cutter resume stuff. You don’t need it. We’re better than this, You’re better than this.

If you’re hoping to use LinkedIn for your professional networking, give the recruiters something to look at other than the same thing that will be on your resume. Find one paragraph worth of good content surrounding your achievements and passions and curate that for your summary. Don’t be boring, ok? You’ve got a lot to offer, shape up and show the world.