Archive for March, 2010

The Secrets To Getting Your Dream Internship

It’s internship hunting season and, thanks to the economy, it’s more competitive than ever. That means it’s more important than ever to make a really good first impression. Being that I spent the past week alone sifting through over 100 applications for CollegeCandy’s summer internship positions, I know a thing or twelve about what makes a successful application.

If you want to spend your summer beefing up your resume, learning the ropes and, most likely, getting someone else’s coffee, take a few of these things into consideration:

Stand Out.
Most internship coordinators receive a lot of applications, making it incredibly difficult to remember every single one they looked at. If you want to be remembered, you gotta stand out.

Resume Do:
Move away from the traditional/boring resume format and try doing something a little different. (You can find ideas online.) I once received a resume that had a great pop of bright green on the top and a very simple green line down the left side. Three years later, I still remember that applicant.

Resume Don’t:
Say something stupid. My friend was recently reading through internship applications for a position at her advertising firm. Under “interests” one applicant listed: “Facebook creeping, collecting bar wrist bands, and beer pong.” Not only was she under 21, but she was completely unprofessional. Yes, she was trying to be creative and stand out, but this was clearly the wrong way to do it. Read More »


The Doc Is In: Dealing with HPV

Got a health question? Don’t trust those “Doctors” at the University Health Center? Are you scared of Web M.D. because it always tells you you’re gonna die? Ask a real doctor, like our friend Dr. Lissa Rankin. She’s here every Thursday to answer whatever you throw at her – even peeing after sex – so ask away. Leave your question in the comments or send it over to us. Don’t be shy; she’s waiting for ya!

Q: I am 23-years-old and have been with my boyfriend for 6 years. I got the Gardasil shot last year and my paps have been fine until I got my last Gardasil shot. The doctor told me my pap was abnormal a couple months after my 3rd shot. Was the shot what caused the adnormal pap? The other doctor took a look and did not find anything so she did not do a biospy.

I went back 8 months later and she found a small wart and removed it. I do not know what to do or how to feel? Should I worry now that I have HPV? Should I stop having sex? My boyfriend has not had any problem and I heard that they can not be tested anyway. What can I do to prevent getting warts? Sorry to ask, but we have been having oral sex as well does that mean we both have it in our mouth? I just do not understand what I did wrong. I have been on birth control as well. PLEASE HELP… I only been having sex with one person for 6 years but I feel so helpless.

A: I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with an abnormal Pap smear and HPV. But believe me- you’re not alone. Up to 80% of us will contract HPV at some point in our life, and HPV vaccination isn’t perfect. Gardasil only guards against the four most common strains of HPV, but there are many more.

No, the vaccine didn’t give you HPV or cause your abnormal Pap smear. It doesn’t work that way. It may simply have been given too late.  You may have contracted HPV before you received the full series of vaccinations and the virus is just wreaking havoc now. There’s no way to know whether you already had HPV or whether you just caught it, but it’s a strain the vaccine doesn’t cover. Read More »


The Know: Chocolate Just For You

Chocolate. That is one word and gift from heaven I will never get sick of. It tastes good with – um – everything. I never don’t want it. And even when I try to cut it out (like today) I find myself crawling back to it (as in eating it as I write this).

Another thing I never get sick of?

Creating my own things. Whether it’s a photo book, a necklace, a personalized hoodie or my own snack bar, building something from scratch that I know I will love always makes the final product that much more fun and enjoyable.

So when I heard about Createmychocolate.com I needed no convincing. It’s just like the URL says: you can create your very own chocolate bars. Can I get a HELL YES!? I spent hours trying to craft 3 perfect bars and, let me tell you, with so many options it was HARD. From pretzels, to cereal, nuts, fruits, sugary bits of heaven and various spices, you can craft the most amazing, delectable chocolate bar of your very own. Read More »


8 Tried and True Ways to Get Famous Fast

I am sure a little part of all of us wanted to be famous at one point in our lives.  A little piece of my heart wants to sing on American Idol, design a dress for an Olympian figure skater (kudos, Vera Wang), or get insulted by Kanye West on live television.  Whichever way you put it, being famous does not seem that bad…but the getting there is tough.  Unless you are Justin Bieber whose ‘getting there’ involved a YouTube video and a cute haircut. Needless to say I am impressed.

But besides YouTube, there are other ways you can become famous in lightning bolt fashion. If you long to walk red carpets, get chased by paparazzi and rub elbows with Hollywood’s A-listers, take a little advice from these fameballs on how to get real famous, real fast.

Get Fat (Kirsti Alley, Kevin Federline)
It’s been a long time since the woman who found fame on Cheers and later stole my heart in Look Who’s Talking (one of my favorite adolescent movies out there) was the topic of pop culture conversation. That is until she got fat. Then skinny. Then graced the tabloid covers once again grasping a donut and looking into the camera lens with 10 double chins. And now Kirstie’s showing up on Oprah, starting her own weight loss line (??) and starring in, Kirstie Alley’s Big Life, a reality show about her quest to lose weight. Again.

Read More »


Campus Couture: Renee, Northwestern

I love this drapey cardigan. It's the little details like that set Renee's style apart.

[While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus (like Meredith at Simmons!) to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style.

And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in. You think you've got some major style? Know someone else who's always looking ferosh? Think the world needs to see what she can do?  Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

I work with Renee and whenever we work together, I always catch myself stealing glances at her fantastic outfits. I love how Renee makes fashion look so easy, like she didn’t even try but somehow always looks totally chic and put together.

I’m also inspired by how Renee takes really basic pieces and adds little details here and there to really set her look apart from the other thousands of girls roaming our campus. Whether it’s a fun ring, a pop of color/print under an otherwise all-black ensemble, or a perfectly worn-in pair of boots, Renee knows just how to put things together so she fits in and stands out all at once.

But the best thing about Renee’s style is that it works for the no muss, no fuss college lifestyle. Renee proves that with just a little bit of planning and a few fun details, you can be casual, comfortable and still undeniably cute.  Read More »


From PopEater: Jessica Simpson ‘So Disappointed’ in John Mayer

Many have commented on the Playboy interview in which John Mayer compared ex-girlfriend Jessica Simpson to “sexual napalm” — including the rocker himself, repeatedly. Finally Simpson herself is ready to weigh in on the controversy, telling Oprah Winfrey, “It was so discouraging, because that’s not the John I knew.”

In her ‘Oprah’ segment Wednesday, Simpson admits that she felt betrayed by her ex and says she has yet to accept Mayer’s apology. “I don’t resent him,” she explains, “but I’m just going to let that part of my life go.” Read More »


Sexy Time: The Secret to Good Sex

As a writer, I have a lot of role models. People who’ve made a difference with their writing, people who’ve paved the way, and people whose writing I just really enjoy. One of those people is sex columnist Dan Savage. Not only does he write a sex advice column that’s syndicated all over North America, but he’s also written a few books and still manages to be a fairly down-to-earth guy.

One of the things that Dan talks about pretty frequently in his column is the idea of being GGG – good, giving and game in the sack. According to Dan, these are the three traits a person needs to sustain a long and healthy sexual relationship.

I’ve been asking myself lately how exactly one goes about being GGG in a relationship — what does it actually mean? It seems like a pretty good concept, so let me break it down for you guys too: Read More »


5 Reasons We Salute You, Chelsea Handler

[Besides being the month of St. Patrick's Day and CollegeCandy's editor's birthday, March is Women's History Month. Instead of honoring the great women of our past, however, we at CC want to honor the women they inspired and who now inspire us. Every Wednesday this month we are going to highlight a woman who is currently dominating her field and showing us that we can really do anything. These women are strong, powerful, famous, and doing their thing even better than their male counterparts, so let's give them the attention they deserve!]

First up is Chelsea Handler, a self-made celebrity who is smart, beautiful, hilarious, and full of talent. We could probably list a billion reasons why we love this woman (including her shoe collection, her interviewing skills, Margarita Thursdays…), but here are the 5 biggest reasons Chelsea Handler has inspired us.

1. She didn’t go to college
Obviously, we think college is an amazing, worthwhile experience (hence the name of the website – COLLEGECandy). But it’s amazing to me that Chelsea was so motivated, driven, and fearless that she didn’t feel the need to go the traditional college route in order to pursue her dreams. And she’s made herself an empire! (Not to mention she pulls a much larger salary than I’ll ever get with my college degree).

2. She’s A Renaissance Woman
Best-selling author, actress, TV host, and stand-up comedian!? Chelsea does it all, and does it well.  Both of her books – Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea, and My Horizontal Life – were on the New York Times Bestseller List (and she has another book slated for release in March, yayy!), and she won Bravo’s “A-List Funny” Award in 2009.  Read More »


Ask a Dude: Why’s He Talking to His Ex?

[Got a Dude itch you just can't scratch? Sick of getting the pity-eyes as you sift through the Self-Help section at your campus bookstore? Over wondering what those boys are thinking?  We got your back, girlfriend. Send your question over to askthedude@collegecandy.com. The Dude won’t sugarcoat it, beat around the bush, or any other weird cliche that means lie to you. Like a nice, juicy hot dog, he’ll be 100% real beef, 100% of the time.  So bring it on, ladies.]

Dear dude,

Problem: my boyfriend’s ex girlfriend texts him constantly. They were in a relationship for 2 years on and off in high school. I asked him to not talk to her and he didn’t for about 4 months. But she texted him consistently and he finally gave in and started talking to her. He said she really needed him for advice. I know this because I sometimes check his phone. Bad I know on my part but I had good reason to! Now he locks his phone and I’m worried he has something to hide. I know she still loves him; am I being paranoid? I’m in a new relationship and we have told each other we love each other already. We discussed this but I’m just not comfortable with the whole thing; should I be?

Sincerely,
Skeptical Read More »


7 Ways to Make The Most of Your On-Campus Spring Break

We are reaching the week in the semester that is marked on every college students’ calendar. Whether the seven days in the planner reads “PUNTA CANA” in big letters or are filled by a volunteer service trip,  Spring Break has finally arrived.

But while some are checking their luggage and loading on the sunscreen, more than half of college students will actually be sticking around for break. Maybe it’s the struggling economy, perhaps it’s a pair of hostile and nervous parents; whatever the reason and no matter your longitude and latitude, Spring Break is an annual week that should be soaked up by all. Yes, even in your teeny, tiny dormroom.

1)      Take time off: OK, so maybe your surroundings are missing a few palm trees and a couple thousand college students running wild but the point of Spring Break is to do just that: break. Close the text books, put away the planner and relax for the week. You will certainly need the relaxation after the midterms you have just endured and to plow you through the upcoming weeks leading up to finals. Read More »