Top 5 Ways to Balance a Job or Internship in College

As a college student, you may feel the pressures of challenging classes and homework that seem to takeover all your free time. Especially as you enter Junior and Senior years, the stress only increases as you feel pressure to find jobs or internships that align with your future career path. No matter if you’re a Freshman working a part-time job to make some extra money or a Senior trying to balance an internship, a job, and classes, it is crucial to find ways to balance everything and ensure that you don’t go absolutely insane. Here are some of my tips that I’ve utilized to help myself stay on top of everything, and more importantly enjoy my college years.

1. Manage Your Stress

Although this may be obvious, most people are too busy to take the initiative to actually do something about their stress. Whether it be exercising or doing an activity that helps you relax, make sure you find just a few minutes for yourself each day to decompress. Sometimes when I feel like there are not possibly enough hours in a day to get everything done, going to the gym or running for even just 30 minutes helps to bring everything back to focus. Here is an article from Harvard that explains how exactly exercise helps the mind, and may convince you to give it a shot the next time you’re stressed.  If the gym isn’t your go-to, try listening to a 15-minute meditation podcast on Spotify that involves deep breathing exercises. Additionally, find a location that you find relaxing and can enjoy just by sitting there. Plant Park is one of my go-to spots on campus and provides the perfect atmosphere for decompression. Whatever it is that you do to manage your stress, make it a priority on those days when you have 3 tests, 2 papers, and full shift at work.

2. Manage Your Time

Time management is absolutely key when balancing a job and school. Although I mentioned in #1 that it’s crucial to make time for relaxation, you still need to ensure that everything else can get done. Creating a schedule and structuring your days is a great way to hold yourself accountable for your responsibilities. When you create a routine to follow, it makes it much easier to get things done in the limited time you have. If you have class at 8-10 am, work 12-5, and then a club meeting at 6, make use of your breaks in between each responsibility. As tempting as it is to watch Netflix or take a nap when any free time presents itself, you will thank yourself later for utilizing that time. No one likes pulling an all-nighter, and getting little sleep one night will throw your whole week off. Check out this free schedule-making tool that will help make your life a little easier.  

3. Stay Organized

This is a very important component of balancing work and school. You need to stay on top of when assignments are due, your work schedule, and any extracurricular activities that you do. Keep a daily and weekly planner to remind yourself when things are due, and highlight important dates on the syllabi so that you can plan ahead. If you get as much pleasure as I do out of color-coding, highlighting different subjects and types of assignments is a very helpful way of categorizing the priority and importance of everything. Finally, keeping your personal space and desk organized will help motivate you to keep other aspects in your life organized as well. Here is a Navy Seal’s explanation as to how making your bed every day is an important part in staying on track and organized.

4. Communication is Key

Communication with your professors is very important in succeeding. If you are struggling with a class and working at the same time, and are putting in your best effort, try staying after class or meeting your professor during office 

hours. If you explain your situation, and that you truly want to do well in their class, nine times out of ten they will help you and work with you. This is not saying that work is an excuse for doing poorly, but they will help guide you in the right direction to find what you need to do in order to succeed. UT Wellness Center and Academic Success Center both offer counseling services for whatever problems you may face.  

Communication with your boss is just as important. Although you have to be held accountable at work, your boss needs to understand that school comes first. Give them your class schedule and your availability, but consider the amount of time that you need for yourself as well. If something unexpectedly comes up with school, give your boss as much notice as possible.

5. Make Time for Friends and Fun

With a never ending to-do list with work and school, it may seem impossible to make time for friends or fun. However, this is one of the most important parts of balancing school and work. You only experience your college years at this age once, and you have to make the fun memories while you can. Although working and school is extremely stressful, make time to grab dinner or a drink with a friend or go see a movie. This goes along with finding time for yourself as well. If you are so consumed with all your work, life becomes miserable and the stress becomes unbearable. Time with friends is something you will never get back, so remember to enjoy yourself every once in a while.

Top 5 Running Routes Around Tampa Bay

Tampa winters provide the perfect climate for outdoor activities. As someone who ran track and cross country throughout high school, I was determined to find running routes around UT that were safe, scenic, and enjoyable. After some exploring, I found my top routes that are applicable to runners of all levels.

 

Photo by Allie Spurrier

1. Bayshore Boulevard

 

Although this may be an obvious pick, it is an iconic route in Tampa. This 4 ½ mile sidewalk runs along the Tampa Bay and provides runners, walkers, bikers, and rollerbladers a scenic view of the city skyline as they head towards Ballast Point. The sidewalk also includes various fitness stations that are perfect for all the active people who exercise there. This route also provides a view of some of Tampa’s most beautiful homes along the neighborhood of Hyde Park.

Pro Tip: If you go at sunset, the changing sky and palm tree silhouettes make your run that much more enjoyable. You may even catch some dolphins or manatees following along with you. 

2. Riverwalk

The Riverwalk is conveniently located across the river from UT. Starting by Curtis Hixon park, the Riverwalk follows the Hillsborough River for 2.4 miles until it reaches Channelside. It also serves as a place of entertainment due to the many festivals and events that occur at the park, as well as restaurants and bars at various points. To make your run a little more challenging, the Convention Center has a set of stairs that provide the perfect spot for different exercises.

Downtown Tampa and Channelside are in the midst of rapid growth and construction, and the Riverwalk isn’t too far behind. The website provides more detail about what’s in store and upcoming events.

3. Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail

The Courtney Campbell Causeway trail is one of the most scenic routes around our area. It is a 10 ½ mile running and biking trail that connects Tampa to Clearwater. However, be sure to go on a cooler day as there is limited shade along the road. It also serves as the perfect spot to see marine life and the sunset. Whiskey Joe’s beach bar sits along the causeway, and serves as a great spot after your run to grab a quick drink and bite to eat. Free parking is available at Davis Beach and Cypress Point Park. Here is a link to a video that gives a quick overlook at the trail so you know what kind of terrain and scenery to expect.

4. Davis Island

 Davis Island is easily accessible from Bayshore Boulevard. This is a perfect route for training distance runners as you can follow Bayshore and continue your run for a few extra miles. If you take W. Davis Boulevard past Tampa General Hospital and follow it through the neighborhood, you will end up at the end of the island. With planes taking off from the small airport on the island, you won’t realize how far you’ve run until you hit the dog park. This is the perfect spot to take a break as there are water fountains and dogs; what else could you want after a long distance run?

 

Photo by Allie Spurrier

5. Lettuce Lake Park

 

This is a Hillsborough County Park that provides a much quieter and relaxed running trail. There are boardwalks that wind through swampy forest and provide a perfect view of alligators, birds, and native plants. Although this is a quieter route, I recommend going either in the early morning and late afternoon to avoid running into children or other observers on the board walk. Check out their seasonal hours at http://hillsboroughcounty.org/locations/lettuce-lake-park.

Parking is only $2.00, and you can even rent kayaks or canoes for a cheap price after your run. Bathrooms and water fountains are also located near the parking lots.

Pro Tip: Running through the forest brings great views, but it also brings lots of mosquitoes. Be sure to bring bug spray or wipes to protect your skin. Your run will be much more enjoyable if you don’t have to swat through bugs.

 

 

From Advertising in the Industry to Advertising in the Classroom: Q&A with Professor Zimmerman

 

Photo by Allie Spurrier. Professor Zimmerman keeps his mandalas hung in his office, which serve as visual symbols of unity and harmony.

Allen Zimmerman is an Visiting Assistant Professor of advertising at the University of Tampa. He has years of advertising experience from working at large agencies in Washington, D.C. and New York City. He also takes pride in his yoga practice, which has impacted his life and career path in many ways. Professor Zimmerman was kind enough to answer questions about his background with various advertising agencies and the challenges that he faced.

 

Before becoming an Advertising professor at UT, where did you work, and what companies were they?

I started in advertising in Washington, D.C. and worked at the number two biggest firm there called Ehrlich Manes. Some of the clients I worked with were consumer advertising clients. GEICO was one of them, as well as Oldsmobile and People’s Drugstore which is now CVS. So I got to work on brands like that. Then I actually got hired by my client, GEICO. I got to work in the GEICO Marketing Department for five years. I got my MBA during the night while I was working there. After I got the MBA, I actually went to New York City and worked for pharmaceutical advertising agencies. The biggest one that probably everyone would know is DraftFCB Healthcare. I think it’s called just FCB Health now.

How did you learn that you were interested in the Advertising industry?

Even as a kid, I always thought it would be fun. So, when I was young, back then we didn’t have phones or anything. We had recorders. A friend of mine and I, we used to record commercials and then make fun of them because we just thought it was hysterical. So we would just trash commercials. I don’t know if that’s a good reason to go into advertising. But, I liked it from the early age from when I was an Econ major. I hated Economics so much. I just wanted to get out of school, so I thought I’d better be doing something that I like, and I started applying to jobs in advertising.

Why did you go from working in the field to teaching it? Was there a specific event that made you realize that you wanted to teach instead?

So I started getting into yoga and meditation, and doing a lot more thinking about where I wanted my life to go. So it’s sort of that mid-life thing. I just felt like Advertising was fun and Pharma was interesting and challenging, but I felt like it was ethically challenging in a number of ways.

There were times when they asked our agency to help on a campaign trying to promote cigarettes to Asia. When I was working at Pharma, I had to sit through a presentation about one of their top scientists who was describing how they got one of their drugs approved for sale. It included animal testing, and it was for Zoloft, an antidepressant. They were trying to get it approved for anxiety, so they had to instill anxiety into animals. They put them in wire cages and subjected them to random inescapable shock. So, basically, they electrocuted them out of random. We were also promoting that same drug to children before they knew it caused suicide. After a while it felt like in some ways we were justifying “Hey, this feels good, we’re selling medicine that helps people.” But it was really much more than people needed. It really crossed the line ethically. I feel like by teaching advertising I can make students aware of the techniques and have all the fun, but I feel like I’m giving back. That way, I can explain some of these things, and let you choose to see what industries you want to work in. When I graduated, I thought you were supposed to make the most money you can, get the best job, get a bigger house, and all that stuff. I like to challenge students with the idea that maybe you don’t need that. Do something that you’re really happy with, and also makes you feel good about yourself.

You’ve mentioned that yoga is one of your hobbies outside of the classroom. How did you first get into yoga?

It was really weird. A friend of mine came up to me and said “I’m working at a yoga studio, here’s a free pass.” I had never done it, and I thought it was just a practice for women and I’m not going to like it. He said, “No, here’s a free pass, just go try it, this is a really good yoga studio.” I just thought for some reason “why not?” I literally went, and from the first day I just loved it. It was amazing. So I just got hooked on it, and I started to go a couple days a week. Then I started going regularly, and then actually went to teacher training. You can become certified to teach, so I did that. I went to San Francisco for a couple years and I taught school and yoga. It just became part of my life.

Are there core values that yoga has taught you?

Yes. Number one is Ahimsa. It means “do no harm.” So, I try to live my life according to these yoga principles, which are simple but are actually really deep. You can’t do no harm; it’s almost impossible. But, you can try to do the least harm you can. That means you don’t try to hurt people and you don’t try to hurt animals. You don’t buy products or involved yourself in services where they’re involved in hurting people, animals, or the planet for that matter. It makes life very simple for me, and it’s hard to make those choices, but to me it’s worth it. It gives me a peace of mind.

How has yoga impacted the way you work and teach?

It completely changed the way I do that. I don’t just teach advertising, because I know how advertising works. I know the techniques, I know how they sell to people, and I understand human psychology and how to manipulate people; that can be used for good or bad reasons. Yoga influenced me to share these techniques with students, but from the perspective of “Is this done in an ethical manner or not?” If you know how to do it when you leave here, it’s up to you when you get into advertising or PR how you use these techniques. I always encourage people and my students to think about that. I think that’s the greatest thing I can do; to open people’s eyes to the fact that not everything is ethically good and we really can make a difference by the choices we make.

The advertising industry can be very competitive, “cut throat”, and stressful. Have you ever worked on an advertising campaign that went against your personal values, and how did you go about handling it with your superiors?

That’s really tough. You can get yourself in a lot of trouble if you start to go against your agency. Let me give you a couple of examples.

With that cigarette campaign, they sent an email to the whole agency asking for ideas and help with this campaign to sell cigarettes in Asia. This was back before they stopped doing it with “hit reply all” and it would go to hundreds of people. I just put something in the subject that said “Are Asian lives worth less than American lives?” and that was it. I had sent it to everybody. I got called into HR. I was basically told that if I ever did something like that again, like “don’t bite the hand that feeds you”, you’re out. That was number one. But I kept my job, and I kept working.

With the animal testing, I didn’t quit on the spot, I just got up and left the room I was in with my clients to just breathe and come back. I didn’t quit right away, so I don’t try to pretend like I’m some perfect person or a saint. I kept the job for a couple years, but the feeling just grew on me. I was increasingly unhappy with it. It didn’t feel right inside. That’s what I try to share with students; that you’ve got to judge for yourself. It gets to the point where that stuff wasn’t worth it. It just wasn’t.

 

Interview has been edited for brevity, clarity, and style.

 

Top 5 Most Trendy Coffee Shops in Tampa

As Tampa continues to grow, we see new coffee shops and cafés popping up everywhere. Here is a compiled list of ones that I love because of their modern and trendy environments and specialty coffees.

1. Caffeine Roasters

This burger joint turned coffee shop has become a local favorite on the corner of Armenia and Kennedy Boulevard. The switch from Drama Burger to Caffeine Roasters was completed during the end of Summer 2017. It offers a variety of signature coffees made from locally roasted beans from coffee plantations around the world. They also have an extensive food menu with options serving everyone’s needs. Caffeine Roasters serves as the perfect place to work or study in an upbeat and modern environment.  Check out their website here and follow their Instagram @caffeineroasterstampa.

2. The Little Donut House

The Little Donut House recently opened in a shopping center that is conveniently located off Kennedy Boulevard. Taking pride in their miniature donuts, they serve over 20 different flavors that you can combine in a personalized pack. If you were ever a fan of SOHO Donuts while they were still in business, this will definitely fulfill your want for candy and cereal themed donuts. Additionally, they have created a coffee shop environment as they have added specialty coffee drinks and breakfast items to their menu. You can also sit and watch the workers hand make you donuts while you wait. Their website includes every menu item available, and the pictures of their mini donuts will entice you to stop on your next drive down Kennedy.

3. Buddy Brew Coffee

A local couple started Buddy Brew Coffee in 2010, and it has grown to be a well-known craft roaster throughout the Tampa Bay area. Located off Kennedy Boulevard, in Hyde Park, and now in Sarasota, Buddy Brew provides the desired environment that many coffee lovers search for. They are a community-oriented business as their website says “Coffee is only as good as the community you keep.” Ensuring that each customer has a pleasant experience, their coffee shops have tables and lounge areas that are perfect for working, studying, or meeting with friends. Their “Brew Good, Do Good” motto shows how the company takes pride in roasting and serving only the best quality coffee to their customers and spreading the goodness with each cup.

4. Indigo Social Bar

Located in the heart of downtown Tampa, Indigo is one of those coffee bars that I happened to stumble across. The specialty coffees are made quickly and are always fresh. This coffee bar also provides a great atmosphere for an after work drink as they also serve beer and wine. The occasional live music, friendly staff, and fresh coffee provides the perfect hole-in-the-wall in downtown. Follow their Facebook to stay updated on their upcoming events and drink specials.

5. Jet City Espresso

Jet City Espresso is a coffee shop that has been serving Tampa since the 90’s in Hyde Park and in Seminole Heights. They emphasize their ability to cater to certain dietary restrictions, such as gluten and dairy. Additionally, everything is made with organic and fresh ingredients to ensure that customers are getting great quality products as well as service. The Hyde Park location is set in a historic house where you can enjoy your coffee in the comfort of Jet City’s “home”. You can order to go or relax on the front porch. This relaxed environment ensures that each customer feels like family with each visit.

Best Places to Eat in Florence on a Student’s Budget

As every other student who studies abroad, I constantly reminisce on the memories I have from my time in Florence, Italy. The entire semester was spent traveling to other towns and countries, visiting museums, and of course eating the best food I’ve ever had. Although all these aspects are what create such a memorable experience, doing these activities definitely puts a dent in every student’s budget. Florence remains one of the top study abroad destinations for students both at UT and many other universities. While bouncing around from class to museums to the Piazza Michaelangelo, students also look to find local and inexpensive places that offer the best food for reasonable prices. The following places hold a special place in my heart (and my stomach), and I can promise no one will regret dropping just a few euros for the amazing food.

 

1. All’Antico Vinaio

  Located on Via dei Neri, this sandwich shop is one of the most well-known in the city. It was started by the Mazzanti family in 1991, and has become a go-to for locals and visitors alike (“Taste the World”). All of the sandwiches include ingredients that are local to Tuscany, guaranteeing freshness every time. My favorite, “La Favolosa”, is one of their most famous items. This oversized panini includes artichoke spread, pecorino cheese, eggplant, and salami. Because I lived only a street away from All’Antico Vinaio, it became my favorite stop on my way home from class or on the way to a museum tour. Located behind the famous Uffici Gallery and not far from the Duomo, it is one of Florence’s most popular and most liked panini shops. All paninis are well portioned and around just €5.

Picture Credit: Jennah Hebert

Source:  http://tastetheworld.vista03.net/firenze-allantico-vinaio

2. Salumeria Verdi-Pino’s Sandwiches

I first heard about Pino’s before I even arrived in Florence. Many friends told me it was one of those places I had to try, and would inevitably fall in love with. It is usually flooded with study abroad students as Pino, the owner, makes you feel like family every time you walk in the door. Although his sandwiches are everyone’s favorite, the menu also includes pasta and a plethora of fried Italian food. Located on Via Guiseppe Verdi, it is very close the Santa Croce square and walking distance to the Duomo. Most importantly, this is an affordable stop for every student. Every meal ranges from €5-€10.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/pg/pinossandwiches/about/?ref=page_internal

3. La Manegerie 

This stop was also one of my favorites while studying in Florence. Tucked away on one of the side streets, La Menagerie is an equivalent to Tampa’s Oxford Exchange. Once a store that sold vintage home décor, this trendy café opened just a few years ago that now includes gourmet coffee, food, décor, and beautiful flowers (“New and Noteworthy Restaurants in Florence”). Most restaurants and cafés scorn students for taking up precious space to study for extended periods of time, partly because eating and drinking is considered an experience in Italy. If you weren’t there to eat a full course meal with many friends, then you’d better leave. Contrary to this cultural attitude, La Menagerie provides an environment that is perfect for students. The friendly staff welcomed our business as we wandered in there after class to do homework and socialize, just as we would do at a Starbucks here in the U.S. Despite the Americanized social attitudes of this café, the food and drinks are pure Italian. You wouldn’t spend more than €10 on coffee and a pastry or a salad. La Menagerie allows a local Italian experience on a traveling student’s budget.

Picture Credit: Jennah Hebert

Source: http://www.lamenagere.it/bistrot/ ; http://girlinflorence.com/2015/06/25/new-noteworthy-restaurants-in-florence/

4. Gusta Pizza

Although you can get pizza almost anywhere in Italy, it is best to go to a local place where they know how to put fresh and local ingredients to their best use. Additionally, you shouldn’t be paying more than €10 on a pizza, and it should definitely be worth your money. Gusta Pizza is another favorite in Florence that is loved by both locals and students. At a budget-friendly price, they hand make their dough and cook it in a wood-fired stone oven (“Gusta Pizza”). With only a selection of five different kinds of pizza, they are able to perfect each one. Gusta Pizza is located on the other side of the river, but worth the walk every time.

Picture Credit: Jennah Hebert

Sources: http://allafiorentina.com/florence/gusta-pizza/#.WmkuPa2ZOSM

5. Paninoteca Firenze: The Oil Shoppe

As much as I loved all the Italian food while abroad, sometimes I missed the simple American dishes that were hard to find. The Oil Shoppe was originally an oil and wine store until 2001, and then became a restaurant devoted to serving American dishes with Italian food products. Everything is made with local ingredients. Salads, bowls, smoothies, and burgers are just a few of the items that us study abroad students missed. However, they still incorporate homemade Italian sauces and concepts in their food. The staff also place an importance on the freshness of the ingredients, and strive to make American dishes a healthier choice. As another hub for study abroad students and locals, The Oil Shoppe is a cheap option to get your fill of Americanized food while visiting in Florence. Expect to spend €10 or less here.

Source: http://www.paninoteca.firenze.it/en

The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton