Year: 2011

Whitney…WINNING!

Josephine ButlerBlog, The Clairemont Team1 Comment on Whitney…WINNING!
Whitney standing in Senado Square in the city of Macau, China SAR.

Just a few weeks ago, we had a chance to sit down and chat with one of our spring interns, Hope Hemby. Now get ready for round two of spring intern Q&As. Without further ado, here’s the latest and greatest from Whitney Medlin, yet another Clairemont intern superstar!

So Whitney, you’re a Raleigh native, born and raised, and now you’re a student at N.C. State. You must really love Raleigh!

[Laughs] I’ve been here forever.

So what is it about this place that keeps you hanging around? Have any favorite spots?

I think I’d have to say that my favorite part of Raleigh is the downtown area because it’s grown so much. I love all of the fun festivals and restaurants and bars.

What about when you were younger? Chuck E. Cheese’s?

Yes! I mean no….I’d say the art museum – my brother helped designed the outdoor classroom, just a fun fact.

Very cool! So how do you like being a student at State?

I loved being a student at State so much in undergrad that I decided to continue with grad school. And I mainly love it because I am in the College of Textiles, and it’s like my own little home where I know all of the teachers and students and just enjoy the atmosphere.

Glad to hear you love it! So how did you decide on textiles?

I went to a textile camp when I was in high school at State and didn’t really know what else to do at school, so it kind of gave me a good place to start. And then I fell in love with it.

I think that’s the best way to do it – to just fall into it, naturally. And where do you see yourself going in the field?

Ideally, I would like to do something with branding and marketing for an apparel company with the opportunity to travel.

I know that you’ve had quite a few travel opportunities already. Tell me about them.

In undergrad I studied for a month in Florence where I took an Italian cooking class, and I got to practice my two semesters of Italian language…

How did that go?

Well, I was able to translate costs of baked goods for my friends. That’s about all. [Laughs]

And where else have you been?

Most recently I traveled to Hong Kong as part of my master’s program and was able to explore the culture and the industry and meets lots of exciting and wonderful people. People were just so, so kind. Even top industry execs would do just about anything to give us information or even to bring us tea. I was really impressed.

Speaking of textiles, what’s your favorite fabric in our office?

Ohhh. I kind of like all of them, but I am going to have to say the lamps…or the chairs. They’re kind of like old school retro.

And how do you like interning at Clairemont? What do you feel like you’ve learned so far?

I love being here! It’s such a fun environment. As far as learning goes, I feel like I’m getting a better understanding of what it is, exactly, that agencies do. There’s literally so much going on all of the time, and I am getting a better idea of what those things are.

What else do you like to do?

Does traveling count? I have the travel bug, which is interesting because I didn’t really travel a lot growing up, but in the past few years I have been fortunate to go quite a few places in Europe. It just makes me keep wanting to go back!

Anything else you would like to share with the public?

I have a dog named Fredward. Actually, it’s just Fred, but I call him Fredward. Does that count?

It certainly does, Whitney! And for those of you who think you have the potential to be our next great Clairemont intern superstars, be sure check out our internship program here.

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Green Thought Thursday: Big on Biofuel

Josephine ButlerBlog, Sustainability
Chatting with Mr. Shaw outside of the From Farm to Fuel Tank (photo courtesy of Sarah Rushing).

Today’s Green Thought Thursday was inspired by my recent stop at West Craven High School while en route to Merchant’s Millpond for a camping trip. It was there that one of my closest childhood friends, Mr. William “Moose” Shaw, allowed me aboard a very special bus – the From Farm to Fuel Tank.

It is on this bus that William travels around the state to tell students about the ‘Farm to Fuels’ program, where local farmers and community members are coming together to provide hands-on training to high school students in Craven County, teaching them about the benefits of biofuels, especially on a local scale.

Did you know that vegetable oil from your local McDonalds can be converted into a biofuel? And all of those winter cover crops that farmers use just for soil cover during the colder months? They can, too! William has used both to brew up his very own biofuels aboard this magic school bus. And the best part? He simply runs a hose out of the bus window and into the tank for instant refueling! Talk about being self-sufficient…

So what about biofuels? The Biofuels Center of North Carolina makes a good case.

• It’s a renewable, domestic energy resource
• It’s more than 300 percent fossil-fuel energy efficient than diesel
• It can be used in most diesel engines
• It can reduce global warming and tailpipe emissions
• It’s nontoxic and biodegradable
• It’s a good solvent for fuel line and tank sediments

And what’s the larger picture? “Biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions better than gasoline, ethanol, and conventional diesel, and can help shift your energy use to renewable,” writes Andrew Korfhage for Green America.

So whether you’re driving a car with a diesel engine or a great big yellow (and in William’s case, green) school bus, consider making the switch from regular diesel to biodiesel. It’s cleaner, greener and downright awesome.

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Green Thought Thursday: A Thought So Green, We Had to Post-it®

Josephine ButlerBlog, Sustainability
Josie sure does love her Post-it® Notes!

As if you couldn’t get enough of her yesterday, our intern Hope Hemby joins us this week to share her first green thought for Green Thought Thursday.

We are forgetful, in a hurry and perpetually in need of a pen and paper. How did we live before the dawning of the Post-it® Note age? We stick them everywhere and anywhere that might catch our eyes from a computer screen to the refrigerator. As a matter of fact, we’re so in love with these perfectly sticky, handy little notes that we had our own 30th anniversary celebration for them.

Due to our excess use of these handy paper reminders, we may have felt a little guilty in the past for the potentially harmful environmental effects of our Post-it® gluttony. For those of us who are torn between “going green” and abstaining from these delightful square helpers, I have great news – Post-it® has a new line made from 100 percent recycled materials! Post-it® Greener and Recycled Notes are made entirely from recycled paper and use a plant-based adhesive. Super Sticky Recycled Notes and Recycled Easel Pads are also greener options.

According to blogger Everything Green and even the folks over at Post-it®, all notes are recyclable and made from recyclable paper. But not all Post-it® Notes are made equally. Some Post-it® Notes are made from 30 percent post consumer content, so you can see why we’re loving this new 100 percent recycled line! And as if you needed more incentive to run out and purchase this nifty new product, for every Post-it® or 3M recycled product purchased, the company will plant a tree (up to 100,000)! All you have to do is register the specially marked Post-it® or 3M product of your choosing online.

Not only are we giving ourselves a much needed helping hand by continuing to purchase and use this greener product, we are also helping to better the world around us! We can all take a collective sigh of relief knowing that we can use our beloved Post-it® Notes to our hearts’ content. Go ahead….Sticky-note everything!

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There’s Hope for Clairemont

Josephine ButlerBlog, The Clairemont Team
Our intern Hope loves the Canine Couture pictures in the office.

Don’t let the title mislead you. Everything’s going just swimmingly at Clairemont Communications, and one of the reasons why is that we have the lovely Miss Hope Hemby on board as this semester’s TLC intern. For those of you who haven’t heard of our internship program, TLC stands for team, learning and career. Hope is learning a little bit about all three during her time here. Here’s what she had to say in my recent interview with her:

For the record, Hope, where are you from?
Well, I would have to say I am from Kinston, North Carolina even though my family lives in Clayton now.

And now you’re a student at North Carolina State…
Yes! I am studying business administration with a concentration in marketing.

So why marketing? And why intern at Clairemont?
I have an entrepreneurial spirit, I think. I took a class called the Entrepreneurial Initiative with State, and it consisted of obviously classroom experience, but also touring local start-ups. The class really piqued my interest. Just seeing the amount of work that goes into owning your own business…the little things, the big things….I would like to have my own company. Eventually.

So what have you learned so far here?
The work it takes not only to sustain an entrepreneurship but also to make it a success! I am getting the inside take on the whole thing.

We’re glad you’re liking it here. We like having you here, too! So what’s your favorite thing to do here?
I love writing blogs! It’s fun! And I never thought I would be doing anything in writing, but I like to write, so it works out really well!

Besides the work you’re doing, what’s your favorite thing about the office?
I am in love with the Canine Couture frames. As soon as I saw those when I was interviewing, I thought, I am going to get along great with these people. I love dogs.

Speaking of dogs, which of the office dogs is your favorite – Billy or Charley?
[Blushes] Can I just say my own dog, Valentino? He’s a toy poodle. We call him Vally.

I guess you can….So what else do you love outside of school and work besides your dog?
I am a member of Delta Gamma sorority, and that takes up a lot of time. I also am involved with the American Marketing Association, where I attend meetings, go to sponsored events and hear guest speakers. It’s a good way to make connections in the Raleigh area.

And your hobbies?
Oil painting, reading and running.

Oil painting?
Yeah, I took an oil painting class over the summer while I was studying abroad in Florence. But even before then, both of my aunts are professional artists, and they got me started early. Probably in elementary school.

Florence!? There’s a whole world of things we don’t know about you, Hope Hemby.
[Laughs]

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Job Application Tips

Dana PhelpsBlog, Free Advice3 Comments on Job Application Tips

I’ll bet it would be difficult to calculate how many job application tips are available in books, news articles and blog posts. As I review resumes that have been submitted for our open positions, a few come to mind as the most important. Three things so simple they can be jotted on a napkin (with room left to doodle)…which is exactly what I did earlier today.

Follow instructions. For example, along with a resume and salary requirements, we ask candidates to write “a paragraph or two about why you would make an outstanding addition to the Clairemont team.” If it takes you six paragraphs, I will think you lack the ability to follow instructions and to be a succinct writer.

At the same time, if you apply for a job without the stated minimum experience, your ability to follow instructions can be in question. Instead of trying to convince me that as a student you can do the job of someone with five years of agency experience, consider admitting that you know you are not qualified and offer your resume for future entry level positions.

Take your time. When you respond to a job post and are corresponding with the hiring manager via email, take your time. Pay attention to details. Proof your work. Read what you’ve written again. Think about your tone. I wonder if social media might be making people more causal in other forms of communications. Conversational and professional can — and should — live together.

Resist the urge to cyberstalk. Since Clairemont blends traditional communications with social media as part of client strategies, it is essential that candidates are social media literate. If you meet the job requirements and get invited to an interview, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and knowledge. If you’ve read this blog before, you might know that @ok2hooray sealed the deal at Clairemont by using social media. She did it the right way. Is there just one right way? Absolutely not, but whatever you do, be sincere and don’t show up unannounced on my virtual doorstep. Let me explain. If we’ve never had a live conversation when you have emailed your resume to me, followed me on Twitter, commented on multiple blog posts I’ve written, attempted to friend me on Facebook and have asked to link to me on LinkedIn, it is likely too much.

Okay now, I need to say why I’m writing this post in the first place. I remember what it was like graduating in a down economy. Whether it was entry level or an executive position, I know what it is like to really want a job. I truly hope that these tips are helpful if you are interested in applying for a position with Clairemont or for any job. Nothing is better than finding a perfect opportunity, landing an interview, nailing that interview and being offered a dream position. That is my wish for all job seekers reading this. Good luck!

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