TORCH TIP THURSDAY: “Party With Class this Holiday Season”
As we get closer to the holiday vacations, company parties are well on their way. Some of you maybe looking forward to the holiday festivities, the mingling, and enjoying the spiked eggnog while others may be dreading the forced small talk and might simply want to go home. However, whether you want to embrace the holiday spirit at the office, or not, the way you act and your demeanor in general can make or break your career!
For some of you it is essential to remember that just because you are at a “party” doesn’t mean you can act the same way around your colleagues as you do around your friends and family. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having fun, but just know when to draw the line! In a story by MSNBC.com, “A poll by Adecco, a staffing company, found that 20 percent of people surveyed had too much to drink at a work holiday party and 14 percent say they know someone who was fired for their behavior at a holiday party.”
If celebrating the holiday season with your colleagues isn’t your cup of tea, or in this instance cup of eggnog, keep in mind that this can be a great opportunity for you to make connections and even grow within your company!
Below I’ve included a few tips that I hope will influence you to party with class this holiday season and hopefully give you a push up the corporate ladder!
1. Dress Appropriately. You are going to an office holiday party, not a club. Refrain from wearing outfits that show to much cleavage or are too tight. Remember you are still in a professional setting with your colleagues. If you want to make a fashion statement do so with the colors and patterns you wear and/or by accessorizing.
2. Don’t Abuse the Booze! Most office holiday parties have open bar, but that doesn’t mean you need to have unlimited drinks. Know what your limits are! You don’t want to wake up the next morning with a hang over not knowing you were passed out on the floor or seeing a picture of you dancing on a table in the holiday office album. Some people even end up fired and/or with a court case because they went overboard flirting with coworkers or being disrespectful. The way you act under the influence can negatively and drastically change your image. Finally, don’t drink and drive and if you’re under 21 don’t even think about consuming alcohol.
3. Watch What You Say! During holiday office parties you are in a less uptight and relaxed environment but that doesn’t mean you can go around being vulgar or gossiping about your coworkers. You can get a little personal when talking with your colleagues but don’t get too personal. Also, this is not the time to complain about work or personal issues, talk about the economy or about getting a promotion. Finally, office parties are not the time to try and hook up with that coworker you’ve had your eye on.
4. Make this an Opportunity for Yourself. Office holiday parties are a great time to catch up with coworkers you haven’t spoken to in a while, get to know those you hardly talk to and simply network! In an interview with CBS, Nicole Wilson, a career expert, advises people to introduce themselves to others and make an impact. After you’ve networked and made connections remember to follow up with them.
5. Be Careful Who You Bring! If you RSVPed plus one, to the company holiday party, make sure they don’t go wild. According to MSNBC, “Often times, the ruckus at company parties is caused by the guest of an employee, according to employment lawyers who have litigated post-party sexual harassment claims. The problems sometimes stem from a guest not understanding the culture at a company. So it’s a good idea to have a chat with your date on what’s acceptable behavior. “
Remember that the best way to party is the classy way!
Leave us your tips and/or stories on what not to do during office parties!
The information for this posting was gathered from the following sources: CBS, foxbusiness.com, msnbc.com/lampshadealert, msnbc.com/holidayparties, and usatoday.com
TORCH TIP THURSDAY: Staying Money Savvy During the Holidays
I have a confession to make…I used to be a shopaholic. Yes, I loved to shop! Thankfully, after a few months of having to pay bills and going through withdrawal, I found myself rehabilitated. However, during the holidays I still tend to always go over my budget. I know that I’m not the only person in this situation. Many people have this problem as well, which is why this blog posting is one many of you can relate to!
While the constant rise of transportation, pay cuts, and lay offs don’t make the holidays any easier, you can always find ways of working within your budgets. I’ve had to learned this the hard way. You can budget as much as you want, but the only way it can truly be to your advantage is if you budget smartly and stick to it!
Below are a few tips that I like to call the Triple S Plan (Shopping Smartly with Savings) that I’ve taken from experts and personal experiences on how you can be money savvy not only this holiday season, but also year round!
1. Know How to Budget Well. Before even making your holiday list, take a look at your bank accounts and any extra money you have on hand. Then, make a break down of all the bills you have to pay and calculate how much your holiday budget can be. Bankrate.com advises to include everything from postage for holiday cards to party favors, in your budget. Another helpful hint is to fit in small budgets throughout the year so you can begin holiday shopping early.
2. Make a List and check it twice! Make a list of all the people you want to buy things for and how much you want to spend on each person. If you go over the budget you’ve allotted yourself, take a look at the list again and start cutting down the amount you can spend on each person. You might even have to cut people out of the list.
3. Don’t Go Over Your Budget! You created a budget for a reason, so stick to it! Keep reminding yourself that you can’t go over the amount you’ve allotted yourself to spend. Its helpful to carry around, in your check book, notebook or your phone, a list of how much you’ve spent, who you’ve spent it on and how much you have left.
4. Use Cash. When you use cash you don’t have to worry about interest rates and it’s a way for you to physically see how much mo
ney you’ve spent and how much you have left. Bankrate.com quotes, Clark Howard, co-author of the book Get Clark Smart: The Ultimate Guide for the Savvy Consumer “Set a limit, ta ke that money out of your credit union or bank, and when that [money’s] gone, it’s over.”
5. If you use Credit Cards, stick to the ones with the lowest interest rates. Keep in mind that when you use credit cards you can end up paying up to three times more because of the interest rates. If you decide to use a credit card and you start paying it off remember that by only paying the minimum amount required there is a chance that you will be paying that bill for a really long time. Try to pay off your bill as soon as you receive it so you won’t have to give the credit card companies extra money.
6. Be creative! You don’t have to spend money on everyone, you can get creative! Instead of mailing out holiday 
cards, send out e-cards. They’re just as nice and some of them even dance and sing! 123greetings.com lets you send out e-cards for free without making any subscriptions. Go to Michaels or any other arts and crafts store and make gifts for people. You can make (knit) someone a shirt, draw/paint them a picture, make a photo album/scrapbook or even make jewelry! If you are an artist, give someone that has inspired you or appreciates your work a book of your poems, cooking recipes, or a recording of your songs. Anny Getty author of I’M Dreaming of a Green Christmas says, “When I was on a tight budget in the past, I gave hand-drawn gift certificates for a yoga or cooking class, both of which I teach. Or turn to your community and do trades — ask your masseuse friend for a couple of massage certificates and in turn cook her a meal for four.” Go to WeTV.com and take a lot at their creative gift wrapping ideas.
7. Use coupons . Cou pons make a difference! There are tons of websites that you can go on to find coupons. I 
personally like groupon.com. You can Google coupons for any particular store you want to shop in or look out for them inside your newspapers. Coupons books are also available for purc hase at your local Rite Aids, Barnes and Nobles and Borders etc.
8. “Recycle” If you have any body wash, body splash etc. that you’ve never opened, you can wrap it up nicely and give it as a gift. Sherry Athay author of Present perfect: Unforgettable Gifts for Every Occasion, says “Regift. But do so carefully, and only if the gift is a good fit for the recipient. Unless it’s vintage or antique, don’t regift used items. Carefully check the item for inscriptions, monograms and other personalization. Rewrap it. And, above all, be sure you don’t give the gift to the one who gave it to you.”
9. Shop Online/Compare Prices. Before you actually start buying things for the people on your list, go to different stores and compare their prices. As you shop, keep in mind that sales are only sales when they are the cheapest bargain you can get. Shop at flea markets where things are cheaper and shop on websites such as eBay.com and amazon.com. I’ve found that online shopping is usually cheaper than in store shopping depending on the shipping and handling rates.
10. Finally, keep Reminding Yourself that YOU ARE ON A BUDGET.
As you celebrate the holidays with your loved ones keep in mind its not the most expensive gifts that count, it’s the thought and effort that you put into it.
Leave us your stories, comments and tips on being money savvy this holiday season and stay tuned for next week’s TORCH TIP THURSDAY!
The information for this posting was gathered from the following sources: CNN.com and Bankrate.com.
Tip of the Week: Don’t Become a Victim to Internet Hackers!
About a year ago, during one of my college breaks, my three roommates and I were having a conversation through Facebook mail. To our surprise, we weren’t the only ones in our FB mail conversation. Someone had anonymously hacked into one of our accounts and intruded into our lives! Yes, the hacker even commented on our conversation. The nerve! This is the initial reason why I felt compelled to raise awareness about the fact that we need to all be aware of the serious issues we face as we interact through cyber space. Not only do computer hackers send annoying spam emails, and constant links to our Facebook and Twitter pages from your friends account, but they can also make your bank accounts go from $10,000 to $0 with just one click and even make you a victim of stolen identity!
How is it possible for hackers to get a hold of our information and gain instant access to our lives? Internet technicians have created what is now known as Spyware/Malware and is the biggest source of Internet hacking affecting our lives. This form of hacking includes sneakware, adware, keyloggers, browser hijackers, porn servers, Trojans and worms. Spyware/Malware are software programs that come from websites, pop ups and web style mails that install themselves on our computers, and invisibly lurk throughout the system sometimes even causing it to crash. The Spyware/Malware then secretly goes into your files, programs, and Internet accounts to gather personal information from your address books, browsers, bank accounts and other online log in information.
According to Black Enterprise.com every six seconds a computer is hacked, and only 1 out of every 10,000 Internet hacking crimes that gets reported leads to an arrest or conviction. Don’t be the next victim! Read the tips listed below to help you avoid being victimized by a malicious hacker.
1. Find out if your computer is safe. Past convicted hacker and founder of LI GATT Security International and Spoofem.com, Gregory D. Evans, suggests using AMIHackerProof.com to perform a free, thorough scan of your computer to see how accessible it is to hack into your system.
2. Have a 2 way firewall and or antispyware (virus) programs installed on your computer. About.com suggests using pestpatrol.com, Norton Antivirus and or Ad- Aware by Lavasoft. Aside from this make sure to continuously updating your software and your firewall/antispyware programs.
3. Choose your usernames wisely. In an interview with Black Enterprise.com, Gregory D. Evans suggests not using the same usernames and passwords for all your accounts because it makes it easier for hackers to get into all of your information at once. Using a combination of 7 or more letters, numbers and symbols (if acceptable) as a password make it harder for hackers to get into your accounts.
4. Beware of the sites you visit, emails you receive and people you befriend. Avoid visiting and downloading files from questionable websites and or opening emails and messages from senders you don’t recognize. Make sure you immediately delete any spam messages you receive and be cautious of any chat rooms you enter or people you befriend. Phishing has become a huge issue. If you come across any messages that are marked urgent requests for personal information or links to any web pages triple check to make sure it isn’t a scam. Checking the web addresses where you are being linked to is also a good way to see if the web pages you are visiting are authentic.
5. Check your accounts. Make sure you constantly check your personal accounts for any irregular activities. Finally, try to post as little personal information as possible online because that is an easy way for hackers to make you their next target.
Remember to always be extra careful when surfing through cyber space. If you have any stories or tips on internet hacking leave a comment!
Stay tuned for our new “TORCH Tip Thursdays” coming up this week!
The information for this posting was gathered from the following sources: About.com, Antiphising.org, Black Enterprise/Professional Hacker and Black Enterprise/Stop-Pop-Up-Pests-and-Spyware
TORCH TIP of the Week – Paychecks Don’t Come With First Amendment Rights: Do’s and Don’t of Social Networking
As recent networking sites are on the rise you might want to re-evaluate the way you’ve been branding yourself on social networks, because that can affect your image as a professional. As many of you may be aware, many employers look at a potential hire’s social networking sites to take a deeper look at who they’re bringing onboard their company. People may think that this isn’t a fair deal, but in reality, if you put your information online you should know that it will be available to billions of people around the world, even if you make your pages private! Always keep in mind that you have friends, and those friends have other friends, who are probably connected to someone you know.
Having inappropriate information online can not only affect your image but can also cause you a job. According to AMNY, a study done last year shows that 8 percent of large companies have fired an employee for inappropriate social media related activities, and those numbers are predicted to rise. AMNY reports that in March 2009, a newly hired employee tweeted. “Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work.” To her surprise, her would be boss commented, “I’m sure they would love to know that you will hate the work. We here at Cisco are versed in the web.” Suffice it to say, that job offer was rescinded! In September 2009, a woman applying for a manager position at McDonald’s wasn’t hired because she wrote on Facebook, “&^%# them nuggets!” Just last month three NYC Public High School teachers were fired for having inappropriate communications with students on Facebook.
Surveys done by CareerBuilder in 2009 showed that more than one-third of employers that checked profiles said they had found content that disqualified a potential hire. The top reasons for disqualification being that the potential candidate had posted information about themselves; drinking and or using drugs, displaying inappropriate photographs, bad-mouthing their previous employer, and showing poor communication skills. When logging on to your social networking sites keep in mind that other people are taking a look at your pages and inappropriate content can not only make you look bad but can offend others as well.
Below are 10 Do’s and Don’ts for social networking that I hope will be useful to your evolution as professionals.
Do’s Don’ts
| 1. DO Create A Positive, Powerful Personal Brand Online
Since social networking is on the rise you should have a social networking page to brand yourself, especially if you’re getting into the communications and arts field. You can create a name for yourself by blogging, creating an impressive following on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and constantly writing and commenting on issue pertaining to your field of work. This can be a strong asset to your job search and expanding your networks!
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6. DON’T Use Tasteless Names on Social Networking Sites or Your Emails
Names and emails including vulgar words or negative connotations are inappropriate, and once an employer sees that, your application is going to the trash. Using emails with your first and last name, or a few numbers in it are the best way to go.
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| 2. DO Post Positive Pics Online
Include pictures of you doing community service and engaging yourself in positive activities. This also includes making sure you have positive comments under your pictures. Keep in mind that once you post up pictures people are able to copy them.
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7. DON’T Engage in Online Conflicts
Don’t argue with, verbally attack or threaten other people on their, other people’s, or your wall, tweets and or status. Remember anything you put in writing can come back to haunt you. |
| 3. DO Use Ways to Cut Down Your Social Networking Time So you Have Time to Engage in Other Activities
Social Networking is important but don’t get addicted to it! Take advantage of the various social media tools that are designed specifically to save you time. For example, sites like ping.fm, www.seesmic.com and www.tweetdeck.com help you by sending updates to multiple social networking sites, including Twitter and Facebook. Some sites–like atomkeep.com allow you to link multiple Facebook and Twitter accounts to one desktop application where you can post updates to all profiles, as well as view and respond to your friends’ posts. Also, sites like futuretweets.com let you schedule updates in advance, so your tweets can be updated even when you’re not online.
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8. DON’T Badmouth Your Previous or Recent Employers
Badmouthing your previous or recent employer can cost you your recent and/or future job! Remember that when you work for a company or are a part of an organization you represent them in and out of the work environment. |
| 4. DO Join Groups Selectively
Different groups are created so people can connect with others that have the same interest, but how does it look when you’re in a group like “I drink More Beer than Water”?
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9. DON’T Forget Other People Can See Your Friends Too
Make sure you ask your friends not to post any inappropriate pictures or comments about you on their pages or simply be selective about who you befriend – Unless you’ve opted to keep your friends list private, your friends can see the contacts you’ve made. So in addition to keeping your friends’ risqué pictures and comments off of your profile, be cautious about whom you friend and when. |
| 5. DO Create Passwords that are Difficult to Figure Out
With the constant rise of people’s social networking pages being hacked make sure you change your password every few months or use passwords with a mix of letters, number and symbols (if accepted) to make it harder for hackers to get into your accounts. |
10. DON’T Let Out Personal Information In Public
Its ok to tweet, comment, chat and discuss issues regarding business and trending topics etc. but limit posting information on your personal life — which can be a subject of major scrutiny by recruiters and hiring managers. |
After you’ve read this take a look at your social networking pages and re-evaluate the way you’ve been branding yourself: and if you have any of your own networking tips leave a comment!
Stay tuned for next weeks Tip of the Week: “How to Avoid being a victim of Hackers and Social Networking Fraud”
The information for this posting was gathered from the following sources: Careerbuilder.com, CUInfoSecurity.com, CNNMoney.com, AM New York
I’ll Tell You Why I DO LIKE MONDAYS!
Mondays are usually the day of the week dreaded by many, it signals the end of the weekend and can really be a drag. However, Monday, Oct 4th, was a day so many people looked forward to from TORCH mentors, supporters, almuni, volunteers to even Lexi’s (past TORCH intern) parents joined us to “Cocktail for a Cause” at TORCH NightCAP!
Hosts Tiffany R. Warren of Omnicom and Coltrane Curtis of Team Epiphany filled the night with energy in the warm atmosphere of CV Lounge. Additionally, there was mouth watering Chinese style hors d’oeuvres (which I personally couldn’t get enough of), great music, amazing raffle and auction items, and best of all new and old TORCH faces brought everyone together to support the initiatives of TORCH!
TORCH NightCAPs are executed as a fundraiser for our program and it is also a time for all our supporters to network, our volunteers to further understand the importance and necessity of The TORCH program, and for our alumni to come back together and recap their TORCH memories and network too!
Thanks to everyone who contributed to making this TORCH NightCAP possible! If you weren’t able to make it, check out the photos from the event posted below. I hope to see you at the next NightCAP in a couple of months! Stay tuned for details…
TORCH Alumni Network 
