Recommended reading: Campus Calm University

Recently, Maria Pascucci, author of “Campus Calm University: The College Student’s 10-Step Blueprint to Stop Stressing & Create a Happy, Purposeful Life,” sat down for an interview about reducing stress, finding your passion, having the courage to succeed or fail and making yourself marketable to employers.

 

Heather Huhman: What is a student’s first step to stressing less over their career search? 

Maria Pascucci: The first step to stressing less is realizing that the heart of any successful career search is Y-O-U. If you could forget for one minute what your friends demand, your teachers require and your parents expect of you, what would you want for yourself? What picture of success do you envision that would make you happy? What day-by-day goals can you implement to hold yourself accountable to that picture of success? 

 

HH: How can students and new graduates tell if they’re truly passionate about an intended career path? 

MP: Ask yourself, “Am I in love or in hookup mode?” When you’re in hookup mode, it’s all about the thrill of the hunt, right? Proving that you have what it takes to score, win the guy or girl, never mind if that person is actually right for you. It looks good on paper and feels good on the surface. Love, on the other hand, takes time to build. Even if it doesn’t look good on paper, do you want to invest in the relationship anyway? Now think about whatever college major, internship or career path you’re currently pursuing or thinking about pursuing. This might sound like a no brainer, but do you actually like it? Are you hunting for labels, dollars or prestige? Does it just look good on paper or does it feel right in your heart? 

 

HH: Why do students and new graduates need to find the courage to fail or create success? 

MP: In our culture, we see messages every day that tell us if we’re not number one, then we’ve failed. Sometimes, we become afraid to try something new because if we’re not awesome at it right from the start, then we think we’re failing. Well, as a former college-perfectionist-turned-young-entrepreneur, I’ve learned that there is no room for perfection, and I have to make many mistakes to reach innovation. Afraid of being rejected during job interviews? Practice changing your mindset. Congratulate yourself for having the courage to put yourself out there, and view each job interview as a learning experience that you can take with you for the rest of your life. 

 

HH: How does tapping your inner Picasso make you marketable to any employer no matter what your college major or degree? 

MP: Creativity is the key behind any successful endeavor, whether it be perfecting your painter’s stroke, giving a winning sales pitch or developing the latest computer software program. The word “creativity” is limiting when it is seen only as synonymous with “creative” careers such as writing, acting, dancing or painting. Your ability to conceive of fresh ideas makes you marketable no matter what your college major or what line of work you choose to try out. I had the opportunity to chat with a few employers in my book about how creativity makes interns and new graduates desirable job candidates in all fields. I also include a recipe for creative thinking to guide students who are unsure of how to tap their inner Picasso.

 

Visit CampusCalm.com to receive a free online stress kit, including: