Spring is almost here!

Last weekend I planted an herb garden (in a flower box of course, as living in Washington does not provide much in the way of back yards) and I noticed yesterday that the herbs were starting to emerge. That can only mean one thing! Spring is in the air. I noticed today when I was taking a walk that there are flowers popping up everywhere and people are out playing in the parks with their children and dogs. It was beautiful outside today.

Spring always means one thing, school is almost out for the summer! That means there is also a new batch of recent graduates with dreams of changing the world. And to these people I have a few words of advice. Now, everything I am going to tell you isn't scientific. And it hasn't been proven. And, I could be totally wrong. It's just what I've learned in the past year.

• If 10 months from now you are still working an unpaid internship and waiting tables to pay rent, you're not alone. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune last November, entry-level hiring has dropped about 8%.
• Don't be afraid to take an internship, even after you have your B.A. or B.S. Most people I graduated with in May were still working an internship until last fall- some still are. But it gives you invaluable experience, and will make you more marketable in the long run.
• If you are graduating and really weren't sure if Grad school is right for you, don't go just yet. Wait until you know exactly what you want to do. Sometimes you need work experience to know you are (or in some cases are not) getting into the right field.
• Learn how to make bread. It is relaxing and kneading the dough will help relieve stress. This is one of my favorite Web sites for finding bread recipes.
• And, lastly, if you think of something you want to do. Like for instance work on an organic farm in Hawaii for one year- DO IT. You will regret it if you don't.

So, have a great spring, and enjoy graduating!